NEWS

Shekarchi promotes RentReliefRi with event this Saturday

By ALEX MALM
Posted 3/3/22

Since last spring tenants hard pressed to pay their rent have received a lifeline through RentReliefRI to help pay for back rent and, in some cases, rent going forward.

Applications are being …

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NEWS

Shekarchi promotes RentReliefRi with event this Saturday

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Since last spring tenants hard pressed to pay their rent have received a lifeline through RentReliefRI to help pay for back rent and, in some cases, rent going forward.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until September and on Saturday Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is hosting an event at the Warwick Public Library from 1 to 4 p.m. to assist people with their applications.

“I think there is a need for it and I think the program needs to be advertised,” said Shekarchi

The program, which is funded through the federal government and administered by RI Housing can provide up to 12 months of back rent for those struggling to pay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the program back rent can be paid going back to April 1, 2020. It can also cover up to three months of future rent.

In addition to rent assistance the program also provides for utilities assistance. Those utilities can include electricity, water, trash, and heat. Applicants can apply for help with paying for utilities even if they don’t need help with rent. Applicants are eligible for up to a total of 18 months of assistance.

To be eligible, applicants must meet certain incomes guidelines, which vary by location and household size. Generally, for a family of four a household income can’t exceed $69,200 per year.

A second guideline is that the applicant must have qualified for unemployment benefits or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to Covid-19.

Applicants also need to show that they are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. It can include submitting pastdue rent and utility bills or eviction notices.

In total over $124 million has been approved, which accounts for over 18,000 people.

At the time of publication around $4.6 million has been approved to Warwick residents; $8.4 million for Cranston and $2.5 million for Johnston.

“There’s obviously a need for it,” said Shekarchi.

 

No bank no problem

Normally when an applicant is approved the funds are then given to the landlord.

According to Rhode Island Housing, when a landlord refuses to participate, the rental payment goes directly to the tenant, who then pays the landlord to have any pending eviction dismissed or avoid an eviction filing altogether.

In cases where a renter doesn’t have a bank account Rhode Island Housing recognized it could be an obstacle in order to give a landlord a check.

“For tenants who receive RentReliefRI checks but lack an existing banking relationship, it can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to convert a multi-thousand-dollar check into payment to their landlord, creating a significant barrier to their ability to remit payment and remain in their homes,” a press from Rhode Island Housing stated.

Earlier this month Rhode Island Housing announced a partnership with Centreville Bank in order to solve that problem.

According to Rhode Island Housing, Centreville Bank will establish an account for direct payment recipients to deposit RentReliefRI checks for renters who don’t have access to a bank and have the funds paid to their landlord(s) via cashier’s check.

“This partnership is truly representative of who we are as a community bank,” said Hal Horvat, President and CEO of Centreville Bank. “An opportunity to provide a financial service that addresses a need in our community, particularly around the area of economic security, is a natural fit that combines our expertise

in banking and the efforts of the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation. We are excited to partner with RIHousing to eliminate barriers that prevent Rhode Islanders from remaining in their homes.”

In a press release Rhode Island Housing said that transactions “will be processed on the renter’s behalf through a dedicated account that allows tenants to manage the funds they receive for payment without incurring any deposit or withdrawal transaction fees. The account allows a cashier check distribution of the funds with no fees associated with the issuance of the bank check.”

The Bank designated the Cranston branch located at 193 Comstock Parkway to handle all RentReliefRI-related account openings and transactions.

According to a press release the “Cranston staff is an experienced, bi-lingual team of employees trained to support RentReliefRI clients with their needs. Renters can go directly to the branch with their RentReliefRIcheck to start the process at any time during regular business hours.”

 

Moratorium over

Up until October there was a federal moratorium on evictions during the pandemic.

While a landlord couldn’t have tenants removed during that time for non-payment, landlords were still able to have a court ordered judgment against a tenant.

“A moratorium doesn’t solve any problems,” said Shekarchi. “Moratoriums just delay them. This program solves the problem.”

Shekarchi said if the funds that were allocated to Rhode Island aren’t spent then it goes back to DC.

“I want to take full advantage of it,” said Shekarchi.

Shekarchi said that he has heard from people across the state and city about needing help in order to apply which is one of the reasons why he decided to host the event. As of Monday Shekarchi said that more than 50 people have signed up for the event. “This is not just open to people in Warwick, it’s open to anybody,” said Shekarchi. Those who can’t make the event can visit rihousing.com.

Shekarchi, RentReliefRI

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