The city of Spokane has allocated more than $650,000 toward a program that will help young adults who have struggled to pay rent since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. | Pixabay
The city of Spokane has allocated more than $650,000 toward a program that will help young adults who have struggled to pay rent since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. | Pixabay
The city of Spokane accepted a $668,000 grant to help people age 24 and under who have struggled to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Timothy Siegler, director of the city's Community, Housing and Services Department, told the Spokesman-Review that an agency has not yet been chosen to administer the funds.
Money was awarded to the city from the state Department of Commerce's Eviction Rent Assistance Program based on a predetermined formula.
The goal of the state's rental assistance program is to provide aid to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic or who have had difficulty accessing other forms of assistance.
Gov. Jay Inslee extended a moratorium on evictions through October 15, but that policy does not nullify rent.
In July, the Spokane City Council set aside $500,000 in federal Housing and Urban Development funds for an assistance program overseen by the Spokane Workforce Council. This effort is expected to help more than 200 tenants, the Spokesman-Review reported.
More than $1 million was set aside from the city's $6.6 million CARES Act funds for rental and housing assistance programs.
To be eligible for rental assistance, tenants must earn 50% or less than the median area income and have been unable to pay rent since March 1. At least one of several other qualifying conditions must be met, some of which include spending 30% or more of income on rent or having a history of homelessness.
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