SUPPORT CENTER
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

OVERVIEW

The pandemic has placed new pressure on vulnerable households and the recovery is very much just getting started. That coped with the affordable living crisis in the Greater Washington area has caused families to make the heartbreaking decision between food and rent.

With combined average monthly utility costs at nearly $200, including rising water bills, many individuals in the region are unable to withstand common life events.

As the cost of living in the D.C. area continues to rise, the median income for Black residents in the region continues to either stagnate or remain much lower compared to other populations. The median annual income for Black D.C. residents remains flat at $41,000 compared to $120,000 for white residents.

Homelessness Prevention

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), a $6.2 million program funded by a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) offering rental assistance to renters who are in arrears as a result of being directly impacted by COVID-19.

Financial assistance is based on income and household size as applicants must be at 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) or below to qualify. Refer to the CHAP Income Schedule for details. District residents need to demonstrate that they are delinquent on rent or are unable to pay rent as a result of having lost employment or been unable to work due to COVID-19.

Assistance can be applied for April 2020 onward for up to three months (NTE $4,250) of overdue rent depending on available funds. Eligible applicants may be able to apply for an additional 3 months for a total of 6 months of rental assistance (NTE $4,250.) should financial hardship due to COVID is eligible.

Interested applicants are asked to complete an information intake form accessible through a centralized portal for emergency rental assistance found here.

Program Timeline

Until funds are depleted.

Eligibility

Financial assistance will be based on income and household size as tenants must earn 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) or below to qualify. District residents will have to demonstrate that they are delinquent on rent or are unable to pay rent due because they have lost employment due to COVID-19.