Facing housing instability can be an immense challenge, especially amidst economic uncertainties. For residents of Tulsa City and County grappling with rent and utility hardships, the Tulsa Cares Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) offers a vital lifeline. Administered by Restore Hope Ministries, this program is now accepting applications for its second round, providing access to $19.6 million in federal funding. This initiative aims to deliver crucial rent and utility relief to eligible residents, ensuring housing stability during these challenging times.
Understanding the Tulsa Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program (ERAP) is designed to support both tenants and landlords within Tulsa City and Tulsa County. Following guidelines established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the program facilitates the payment of overdue rent and utility bills, encompassing water, gas, and electricity. Furthermore, in specific cases, the program extends assistance to cover up to three months of forward rent, proactively preventing potential housing displacement.
Jeff Jaynes, Executive Director of Restore Hope Ministries, emphasized the program’s significance: “Given the current economic crisis caused by COVID-19, many of our neighbors have found themselves in dire situations. We are eager to provide relief to those facing the eviction crisis and help keep families in their homes. Housing stability is a critical component to the recovery of our local economy — for tenants as well as landlords.”
Eligibility Criteria for Tulsa Rental Assistance
To qualify for the Tulsa Cares Emergency Rental Assistance Program, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Residency: Applicants must be residents of Tulsa City and Tulsa County and be over 18 years of age.
- Income Level: Household income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income. To determine area median income, please refer to this website.
- Housing Difficulty: Applicants must be experiencing difficulties with their housing situation.
- Financial Hardship: Applicants must have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or faced financial hardship due to COVID-19, or have qualified for unemployment benefits since March 13, 2020.
The application window for this second round is open from March 15, 2021, and will continue until December 31, 2021, or until the allocated funding is exhausted. Interested individuals can find comprehensive program details and submit their applications online at erap.restorehope.org. Prioritization of applications will adhere to federal guidelines and consider data related to eviction risk, homelessness, and other locally relevant criteria.
The Impact of Rental Assistance in Tulsa County
Restore Hope Ministries has a proven track record of providing rental and utility assistance within Tulsa County. Since May 2020, the organization has distributed over $3.9 million in rent and bill payments, supporting 1,600 families, which equates to 4,110 individuals. This substantial increase in assistance, a remarkable 1,300 percent surge compared to previous rent relief efforts by Restore Hope, was made possible through the generous contributions from the Tulsa Area COVID-19 Response Fund, federal CARES Act funds from the State of Oklahoma, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and numerous other foundations and individual donors.
According to the Eviction Lab, Tulsa County faces a concerning reality, holding the 11th highest eviction rate in the United States. The pandemic has further exacerbated this situation, intensifying economic hardships for numerous families. The Tulsa Cares Emergency Rental Assistance Program is poised to offer timely relief to both landlords and tenants, while also fostering systemic change and facilitating long-term economic recovery within the community.
Tulsa County Commissioner Stan Sallee highlighted the importance of the program: “Tulsa County CARES identified several crucial spending priorities to avoid further disaster through this pandemic… we decided there is no better use of funds than helping families stay in their homes. This program will help some of the most vulnerable people in our County, and keeping them in housing will avoid more costly scenarios down the road. We’re proud to partner with Restore Hope and the City of Tulsa in offering this assistance to all Tulsa County residents in every municipality.”
Mayor G.T. Bynum also expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: “We are excited to work with our community partners on this effort to help our neighbors in need and distribute funds as quickly as possible to Tulsans who might face possible eviction or utility disruption due to COVID-19… This investment in our citizens will ensure we are creating a more resilient city and working toward economic stability in the future.”
City Council Chair Vanessa Hall Harper further emphasized the program’s critical role: “Tulsa is still seeing many neighbors in need of assistance being disproportionately impacted during this COVID-19 pandemic… The ERAP allows us to help those families facing some of the biggest hardships keep a roof over their heads, as well as keep their utilities on, as we continue to recover from this crisis.”
Apply for Tulsa Cares Emergency Rental Assistance Today
If you are a resident of Tulsa City or Tulsa County facing rental and utility challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage you to explore the Tulsa Cares Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Applications are being accepted now through December 31, 2021. Visit erap.restorehope.org to learn more about the program and submit your application. Don’t wait to seek the assistance you need to maintain housing stability during these uncertain times.
