Have you lost income because of COVID-19? Are you having trouble paying your rent or utility? The City of Kenner might be able to help.
The City of Kenner is launching a COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program. It aims to help people who have lost income because of COVID-19 pay their rent and/or utility. It makes payments directly to your landlord or utility company.
To be eligible:
- You must rent an apartment or house in the municipal limits
- You must have a valid and current written lease signed by your landlord
- You must have lost income because of COVID-19
- You must have been current on your rent prior to March 22, 2020
You do NOT have to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.
You must also meet these income guidelines:
Income guidelines apply to your current income due to the COVID-19-related loss.
| 2020 CDBG Income Limits New Orleans-Metairie, LA HUD Metro FMR Area | |||
| Family Size | Extremely Low Income 30% AMI | Very Low Income 50% AMI | Low Income 80% AMI |
| 1 | $14,800 | $24,650 | $39,450 |
| 2 | $17,240 | $28,200 | $45,050 |
| 3 | $21,720 | $31,700 | $50,700 |
| 4 | $26,200 | $35,200 | $56,300 |
| 5 | $30,680 | $38,050 | $60,850 |
| 6 | $35,160 | $40,850 | $65,350 |
| 7 | $39,640 | $43,650 | $69,850 |
| 8 | $44,120 | $46,500 | $74,350 |
You are NOT eligible if:
- You live in public housing
- You have unpaid rent from before April
The open period to apply for the services is July 6, 2020 through July 10, 2020
To apply online, please visit https://arcg.is/1iaLL. For those without a computer access, please feel free to visit City of Kenner Clerk of Court, located at 1801 Williams Blvd., Building A, Kenner, LA 70062 during the times listed below for a paper application
| DATE | PICK UP TIME | DROP OFF TIME |
| Monday, July 6, 2020 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Tuesday, July 7, 2020 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Thursday, July 9, 2020 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Friday, July 10, 2020 | Applications will not be available for pick up on this date | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm |
If the landlord agrees to participate in the program, the following documents must be submitted after a screening for prequalification of the application:
- A self-certification confirming your loss of income due to COVID-19;
- Release of Information;
- A copy of your valid, current lease, signed by your landlord;
- Proof of income from before the COVID-19 related income loss and current income, if any, for all adult members of the household;
- An ID that matches the name on your lease;
- An executed Release of Information; and
- For Utility Assistance, Copy of utility bill in the name of a household member or a deceased family member
Your landlord must also agree to:
- Accept the rental payment (no more than three consecutive months of assistance will be provided, e.g., April, May and June 2020)
- Be current on City taxes. If necessary, landlords will be given one week to resolve these issues with the City
- Not pursue eviction for non-payment while receiving rental assistance from the City
- Waive any late fees or penalties for rent not paid in April and May
- Provide the applicant three (3) months after the final payment from the City to repay any arrears over the limit provided by the City from April and from the period while the City was paying rental assistance
- Complete a vendor packet for the City of Kenner
You can apply online at https://arcg.is/1iaLL beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, at 10 a.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 10, 2020, at 12:00 p.m.
Funding is limited. Not every applicant will receive assistance.
If you do not have access to a computer, please call 504-468-7588 and someone from the office of Community Development will contact you regarding the details of the program.
Other Information for Renters
Your landlord must get a court order to evict you, and it is illegal for your landlord to lock you out, dispose of your belongings or cut off your utilities without going through the court eviction process.
Federal law prevents evictions until July 25, 2020, for certain rentals covered by the CARES Act. If you live in a multifamily building or single-family home that has a federally backed mortgage, late fees are prohibited.
Eviction courts have been suspended in Louisiana until at least June 5, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kenner’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program
Do I have to have COVID-19 to be eligible for this program?
No, you just need to have lost income because of the effect COVID-19 has had on workers, businesses, and the economy.
How do I apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program?
Visit https://arcg.is/1iaLL to apply for services.
How much help will I get?
If eligible, the applicant may receive rent assistance for up to three consecutive months for up to $3,000 total. If funding permits we will try to provide ongoing assistance for renters who still need help after three months. The maximum for utility assistance is $400 per household.
What documents do I need to be determined for services?
- A self-certification confirming your loss of income due to COVID-19;
- Release of Information;
- A copy of your valid, current lease, signed by your landlord;
- Proof of income from before the COVID-19 related income loss and current income, if any, for all adult members of the household;
- An ID that matches the name on your lease;
- An executed Release of Information; and
- For Utility Assistance, Copy of utility bill in the name of a household member or a deceased family member
What if I do not have a lease?
You are not eligible if you do not have a written lease.
Are there income guidelines?
| 2020 CDBG Income Limits New Orleans-Metairie, LA HUD Metro FMR Area | |||
| Family Size | Extremely Low Income 30% AMI | Very Low Income 50% AMI | Low Income 80% AMI |
| 1 | $14,800 | $24,650 | $39,450 |
| 2 | $17,240 | $28,200 | $45,050 |
| 3 | $21,720 | $31,700 | $50,700 |
| 4 | $26,200 | $35,200 | $56,300 |
| 5 | $30,680 | $38,050 | $60,850 |
| 6 | $35,160 | $40,850 | $65,350 |
| 7 | $39,640 | $43,650 | $69,850 |
| 8 | $44,120 | $46,500 | $74,350 |
How likely am I to get help?
Funding is very limited and we will not be able to help everyone. Applying for services does not guarantee services for the program.
How long will this program last?
The program will provide help until it is out of money.
How are people chosen for help?
Applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis to determine review for eligibility, with those applicants having priority being served first.
My landlord is the Kenner Housing Authority. Am I still eligible?
No, this program is not for people in public housing.
I pay part of my rent with a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher. Am I eligible?
Yes, if you are receiving a different government rental subsidy you are eligible for this program.
What if I lost my income before COVID-19 or my income loss is unrelated to COVID-19?
This program is only available to tenants who lost income due to the impacts of COVID-19.
I’m a homeowner facing foreclosure. Can you help?
No, this program is not for homeowners facing foreclosure.
What if I apply but my landlord does not respond to the City or is not willing to agree to the City’s terms?
Unfortunately, we need willing participation from your landlord to qualify for this program.
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