To be eligible to apply, you need to be a renter living in Oklahoma, and you would have had to either lost your job or income due to the pandemic

Rental relief program is available for Oklahomans (US) who might be struggling to pay their rent or utilities. Eligible families could start applying today through the Community Cares Partners COVID-19 Relief program.

To be eligible to apply, you need to be a renter living in Oklahoma, and you would have had to either lost your job or income due to the pandemic. Officials have told KOCO 5 that the program has the potential to help 30,000 to 40,000 Oklahomans.

Ginny Bass Carl, with Community Cares Partners, said the need is greater than ever. The organization’s goal is to get as many Oklahomans back on their feet as possible.

We’re going to be able, under this emergency rental assistance program, to pay back rent and back utilities. And with rent, we can pay ahead three months, also, Carl said. We will be able to help tenants for up to 12 (months) to 15 months. If they need help during that time, that 12 months could be all the way back to last August through this August.

In 2020, Carl’s group provided over $21 million in rental assistance with federal COVID-19 relief funding. Because of the relief bill passed in December, Community Cares Partners will have $210 million to use through a partnership with the state.

Community Cares Partners also has a contract with the city of Oklahoma City for more than $19 million going forward toward rent and utility help. Carl said they’re still negotiating contracts with Oklahoma and Cleveland counties.

She told KOCO 5 that the assistance goes directly into the hands of the landlords and utility companies. There’s no need to file evictions against tenants. There’s no need to wait to have an eviction filed. If you need, reach out and apply now, Carl said.