Rochelle urges landlords, tenants to apply for UniteCT rent relief

State Rep. Kara Rochelle

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby, is encouraging Valley landlords with tenants behind on rent and tenants who are struggling to catch up on rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for emergency rent relief through UniteCT.

"Residents across the Lower Naugatuck Valley and Connecticut have struggled to catch up on rent due to the financial fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. I strongly encourage landlords with tenants behind on rent or tenants who are struggling to catch up with their rent to apply for the UniteCT Program. This program is a lifeline and can help tenants reset and move forward past the recession," said Rochelle.

On Aug. 26, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that ended the federal eviction moratorium immediately, leaving few protections for renters at risk of eviction. 

The moratorium was scheduled to be lifted on Oct. 3, 2021. Connecticut does have a temporary safeguard, which expires on Sept. 30, 2021, and Connecticut residents and landlords who need rental assistance should apply to the UniteCT program now as it may take some time for their application to process and funds to be distributed.

In June, the governor signed Executive Order No. 12D, which expires on Sept. 30, 2021, to implement some eviction protections including:

• Requires landlords to apply for the UniteCT rental assistance program prior to delivering an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent;

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• Requires landlords to give tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent, for lapse of time, or whose right to occupy a unit has terminated at least 30-days’ notice prior to beginning an eviction;

• Provides those tenants an opportunity to continue all terms of the lease by paying outstanding rent within the 30-day period;

• Requires all eviction notices to be delivered with certain information about the state’s UniteCT program in both English and Spanish; and

• Requires a stay in eviction proceedings of up to 30 days if either the landlord or the tenant applies to the UniteCT program.

  Connecticut launched the UniteCT Program in March 2021 to disburse Connecticut's $457 million share of federal emergency rent relief. The program provides up to $15,000 in rental assistance directly to landlords on behalf of qualifying tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Households making up to 80 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development area median income (AMI) are eligible for the funds.

  Tenants and landlords can check their eligibility and start the online application by visiting https://bit.ly/2VeE6je. The program is only accepting online applications. Paper applications will not be accepted.

  Residents can access technology to complete their UniteCT application at the Ansonia  Library, 53 S. Cliff St., and Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St. 

  Since the program's launch, over $81 million has been disbursed to 10,746 tenants and 4,032 landlords through UniteCT, and an additional $40.5 million is processing for distribution now.

  "The program is a vital community resource that has proven to be successful. A landlord right here in the 104th qualified for the maximum of $15,000 and avoided evicting a tenant who lost their job in 2020 and was struggling to catch up with rent payments despite securing a new job. The landlord was able to renew their lease and both parties are relieved and happy to move past the struggles over the last year," said  Rochelle.

  Residents who need assistance, have questions, or need support with the application process can contact Rochelle at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or by calling her office at 860-240-8585. Landlords and tenants can initiate the application process. For a 4-member household in Ansonia and Derby, the AMI is $78,500.

Additional locations and resource centers can be found at https://bit.ly/2VeE6je. 

This is a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle.