News
- Published on: 4/7/2021
Community Progress Council (CPC) has launched a $13 million Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to help York County residents who need financial assistance with rent and utility payments.
CPC, as York County’s community action agency, has begun processing nearly 400 online applications and allocating payments to tenants who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional 270 applications are in progress.
The ERAP, part of the federal COVID relief package approved by Congress in December 2020, specifically targets renters across York County. Residents may apply for rental assistance, utility assistance, or both. You must live in York County, and be a renter, to qualify.
“Residents across York County have been waiting for this relief for several months,” said Robin K. Rohrbaugh, President & CEO, of Community Progress Council. “While the economic impact of this pandemic is far from over, this program will provide an important bridge for residents to catch up and begin making steps toward personal recovery from this financial crisis.”
Residents will apply for this assistance through CPC’s website, www.YorkCPC.org, and will need an email address to create a profile to access the online application.
Rental Assistance
Tenants will need a variety of documents ready to upload:
An email address to apply and to receive updates regarding your application.
Contact information for your landlord: name, phone number and email address
Income information to report your household income
Most recent utility bills if seeking utility assistance
Copy of identification (government issued Photo ID or Driver’s license, passport)
Proof of Residence if different from ID
Landlords will need to provide the following items:
Lease
W-9
ACH information for Direct Deposit
Documentation of rent owed
Qualifications also include income limitations in accordance with the area median income (AMI) levels set for York County. Those household levels are listed below:
1 Person – $46,050
2 Person – $52,600
3 Person – $59,200
4 Person – $65,750
5 Person – $71,050
6 Person – $76,300
7 Person – $81,550
Utility Assistance
Utility payments will be for arrearages only but will include electric, gas, water, sewer and trash. Fuel oil will be covered under another funding stream.
This funding is only available to renters in York County. Residents must have utility bills showing past-due amounts and proof of residency ready to upload through the online applications.
Processing for either rental assistance or utility assistance may take several weeks. All communication between Community Progress Council and applicants – including status updates – will occur through email. Updates on an application’s status will not be given over the phone or in-person.
Residents who do not have access to technology or need assistance with filling out an online application can make appointments with one of more than 20 partnering organizations listed on CPC’s website. Applicants may also designate a “collaborator” to work with them to complete the application.
Through a program administered in 2020 through the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency (PHFA), Community Progress Council dispersed more than $1.4 million in rental assistance to 450 families. That program ran for four months and ended on Nov. 4.
This new program, in collaboration with York County, will allow more residents to seek help with their finances.
“The York County Board of Commissioners commends the Community Progress Council for their collaboration with the county’s Human Services Department,” said Julie Wheeler, York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler. “We appreciate their partnership to bring this program to residents struggling with shelter needs.”
A moratorium on evictions, set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) remains in effect until March 31, 2021.
A state-issued moratorium on utility shut-offs, is also set to expire at the end of March.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visit CPC’s website for a full list of eligibility requirements, documents to have ready, tutorial videos and more. Applications, as well as instructions and tutorials, are available in English and Spanish.
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About Community Progress Council
Founded in 1965, Community Progress Council is York County’s nonprofit community action agency, whose mission is to empower individuals and families to move toward self-sufficiency and advocate for change to promote community growth. CPC provides comprehensive, integrated services for low- and moderate-income people of all ages, with programs that include early childhood education through Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts; housing, financial and employment counseling; nutrition support and education via Women, Infants and Children (WIC); York City Community of Hope; and the agency’s Self-Sufficiency Program that helps residents of York County reach financial stability. Learn more at www.YorkCPC.org.