Are you a renter behind on your rent or utility bill because of COVID-19?
Your Orange County Government can help!

Applications will be accepted as of June 1, 2021

Apply online at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/ or call the Orange County Crisis Call Center by dialing 311 if further assistance is needed.

You may be eligible for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program, funded by the U.S. Treasury and administered in partnership with Orange County Department of Social Services. There are no costs or fees. You can receive assistance if, due to COVID-19:

• Your household is obligated to pay rent for your primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) for rent owned on or after March 13, 2020.

• On or after March 13, 2020, a member of your household has received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs or other financial hardship due to COVID-19.

• Your household had an adjusted gross income for 2020 at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). This chart shows the maximum a tenant can earn per household size to be eligible:

Applications will be prioritized for the first 30 days of the application portal’s launch based on certain household factors including unemployment status, veteran status, domestic violence, survivor of human trafficking, an eviction case related to current residence pending in court, resides in a mobile home, lives in a community disproportionately impacted by COVID, lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units and/or the household’s adjusted gross income is at 50% of the area median income:

Tenants and landlords can apply. Payments, which will be made directly to landlords and utility companies, are limited to 12 months of back rent and electric or gas utilities, and up to three months of future rent, depending on eligibility.

Apply online at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/ or call the Orange County Crisis Call Center by dialing 311 if further assistance is needed.

You also may be eligible for immediate assistance in quickly locating new housing. Please contact the Orange County Crisis Call Center by dialing 311 in Orange County if you:

• Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation

• Are living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements. These include congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs.

• Are leaving an institution where you have resided for 90 days or fewer, and resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.

• Are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence.

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How Can I Apply?

Applications for this program and additional information are available at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/ or call 311 and ask for Emergency Rental Assistance.