New program provides help paying rent, utilities

RICHLAND, Wash.-- Tri-Cities Home Consortium and the Benton Franklin Community Action Committee have started a new fund to help Tri-Cities residents who have lost income and can't pay bills due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This will assist them with unpaid rent, utilities, those types of expenses that they just can't cover, whether it's in part or in full," said Mandy Wallner with the City of Richland's Development Services & Economic Development Office.

The Consortium awarded $700,000 of Federal HOME funding from Housing and Urban Development available for this program to BFCAC to help low-income individuals in our area with their housing situations. Funds can be utilized by tenants that meet program guidelines.

"It is funded through the Housing and Urban Development, so there are a couple of hoops as far as justifying the low or moderate income, but otherwise, the program doesn't have as many limitations as we've had before," Wallner said.

Once approved, the money will be paid directly to the applicant’s landlord or utility company on their behalf.

Applications and program guidelines became available on Monday, August 17, 2020. The program will run through December 31, 2020 or until funds are exhausted.