Gov. Ned Lamont and Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno announced that the CT Dept. of Housing is launching a new fund to assist renters who are on the verge of being evicted from their homes due to owing past due rent. Utilizing $12.5 million in funding from UniteCT and the Rent Bank, the Eviction Prevention Fund will provide households with up to $5,000 to pay off past due rent with their current landlord.
To apply, tenants must call the UniteCT Call Center at 1-844-864-8328 and be screened for eligibility. Eligible applicants will receive direct assistance from a local UniteCT Resource Center, where they will complete the application. If a tenant requires but does not have legal representation, access to mediators at Quinnipiac University’s Center on Dispute Resolution will be provided.
Gov. Lamont said, “This fund will enable renters who have been struggling with back rent to remain in their homes while providing payments to landlords on their behalf. I encourage anyone who is in need of assistance to reach out and see if they are eligible.” Commissioner Mosquera-Bruno added, “In our many efforts to mitigate the growing number of evictions, we are establishing this fund to continue to assist our renters that face financial hardship. With these resources, we expect to assist individuals and families to remain housed, while also providing landlords with some financial relief.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal said, “This critical program, supported largely through federal funding, will help ensure that renters can stay in their homes as they deal with financial hardships. Connecticut families are struggling to meet historically high costs for rent and utilities. As evictions surge in Connecticut, this is an opportunity for some real relief. I encourage all those in need of assistance to apply.” Added his colleague in the senate, Sen. Chris Murphy: “Housing in our state is too expensive. The Eviction Prevention Fund will make a big difference for thousands of renters facing financial hardships and sky-high rents. Connecticut has a serious housing shortage, and we need to start building more affordable houses and apartments.”
Congressman John Larson, who grew up in a former federal housing project, Mayberry Village, noted the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress helped keep thousands in their homes during the height of the pandemic. “I am thrilled to join Governor Lamont, Commissioner Mosquera-Bruno, and the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation to announce this new federally-funded program to continue protecting tenants from eviction while also ensuring landlords can pay their bills.”
Launched in early 2021, UniteCT has served as the state’s premier program providing rent and utility assistance for households financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. UniteCT provides qualified households with payments for up to 12 months of rental and electric arrearage assistance. Payments are typically made by the state directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of tenants.
To date, UniteCT has provided assistance to more than 11,300 landlords on behalf of 47,939 households that received nearly $330 million dollars in back rent, 95% of whom earn below 50% of their town’s area median income. Among those households, roughly 1,100 tenants had active eviction proceedings within the court system, and the UniteCT assistance helped the tenant remain housed and prevent the eviction.
