August 30th, 2021
Since its inception in late March, the joint Monroe County/City of Rochester Emergency Rental Assistance Program (EPPI 2.0) has provided nearly $16 million in funding to help keep county residents in their homes, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Mayor Lovely Warren announced today.
“With New York’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium set to expire on August 31, it’s important that anyone facing eviction due to the pandemic reach out to 211 to be pre-screened for EPPI 2.0,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Monroe County residents who have suffered economic losses during the pandemic need to stay in their homes in order to keep our communities and neighborhoods strong. Safe housing for individuals and families also helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It’s also important that we assist the landlords who are facing serious economic losses through no fault of their own. Funding for EPPI 2.0 is still available and I urge anyone in the county who is facing eviction, or the loss of rental income, to apply.”
“This City and County partnership to assist families so they can stay in their homes is essential. While we have been able to assist numerous people in need, I know that we must continue to do more,” said Mayor Warren. “That’s why I encourage anyone struggling to pay their rent to work with their landlord and apply for help. Together, we can provide every family with the security of a stable home during this pandemic.”
The County/City EPPI 2.0 program is made possible by efforts of Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Joe Morelle to include $25 billion for rental assistance in federal stimulus legislation passed this year. In late 2020, the federal government provided $16 million to Monroe County and $6 million to the City of Rochester to help working families at risk of eviction stay in their homes. The American Rescue Plan passed in March gave an additional $12.5 million to the county and $4.8 million to the City in order to keep offering rental assistance for months to come.
The City and County pooled their resources to create a unified, cost-effective program and then partnered with the 211/Lifeline call center and 13 local non-profit agencies to help screen potential applicants, complete applications and provide direct relief payments to property owners on behalf of their qualified residential tenants.
