By RANDY BARTLEY
Staff writer
The Clarion County Board of Commissioners March 9 extended the county’s COVID-19 emergency declaration as word came of a $2.5 million federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program grant.
The emergency declaration was extended through Sept. 30 and streamlines the county’s response to the epidemic. It allows the county to engage in emergency management measures that may be required to be proactive to reduce the potential severity of the pandemic and to “protect the health, safety and welfare of the affected residents of Clarion County.”
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program, part of the latest federal COVID-19 relief package, is to provide financial assistance for households that are directly or indirectly affected in any way by the COVID-19 pandemic, explained Penny Campbell, executive director of the Clarion County Housing Authority.
Campbell said the program could help three ways; rental payment, rent in arrears back to March 13, 2020, and future rent in three-month increments.
There is a deadline to the program.
“It has to be completely expended by Dec. 31,” said Campbell. “By July 31 of 2021 we have to spend at least 65 percent or they will start to recapture it and give it out to other counties that need it.
Campbell said the fund can assist with other home emergencies, including energy costs.
“Paying for utilities will pay a big part of that,” said Campbell. “We have a lot of housing units through the authority and there are a lot of past due utility bills. There should be a significant amount of utility arrears we can look at.”
Campbell said landlords or tenants could apply for these benefits if they are owed back rent.
Eligibility is determined by income and those have suffered a loss in income directly related to COVID-19.
Homelessness or housing instability also could make an applicant eligible. The funds are only for Clarion County residents.
“We are encouraging people to reach out to us,” said Campbell. “We can accept applications by calling (814) 226-8910.”
The Tuesday session of the Clarion County Board of Commissioners was the first face-to-face meeting this year.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic the meetings have been conducted via Zoom.