Application for statewide rental assistance opens Feb. 16; check your eligibility now

Renters in Alaska impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for up to 12 months of assistance to pay for their rent and/or utilities. Working with community partners, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) will administer up to $200 million in federal funds to eligible Alaskan renters through the Alaska Housing Rent Relief program. The application period opens on Tuesday, February 16; Juneau renters can check their eligibility and pre-register now at AlaskaHousingRelief.org. You can check the status of your pre-registration here.

Under the program, up to 12 months of financial assistance can be provided to pay rent and/or utility expenses. To be eligible, you must demonstrate negative economic or financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the pandemic and demonstrate a risk of housing instability and/or homelessness. The program is available only to renters with a household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), to be calculated after their COVID-19 hardship, which totals $92,240 annually or $7,686 per month in Juneau.

Payments will be directed to landlords, property managers, and utilities. Applications will be accepted February 16 at 8 a.m. until March 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

To see if you qualify and to pre-register, go to AlaskaHousingRelief.org. Additional information is available by reviewing this fact sheet, reading these FAQs, or by calling or texting the word “relief” to (833) 440-0420.