Almost 100 Wrangell households have applied for financial aid to help pay their rent and/or utilities under a state-managed program funded with federal pandemic-relief dollars.
The program closed to applications on March 5, with 97 submitted by Wrangell residents among almost 30,000 applications turned in from across the state.
The applications from Wrangell represent about 10% of the community's total number of households, according to U.S. Census data.
The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. is managing the state's $200 million share of the $25 billion federal aid program, approved by Congress in December. The program is open only to renters, not homeowners.
The housing agency said it will process applications in batches, giving priority to people who earn less than half the area's median income and who have been unemployed for at least 90 days.
Half the annual median income in Wrangell is about $28,500 a year.
"All past-due rent and utilities (back to March 13) will be paid first," the housing agency said. "If you owe unpaid rent or utilities, that amount will be paid in one lump sum within 10 business days of your final approval. If you are eligible for future rent relief, those payments will be distributed in three-month increments once your application reaches final approval. Future payments will require documentation that support your continued need."
Under the federal rules, eligible households may receive up to 12 months of aid, depending on the availability of funds.
Applicants will be asked to submit verification of their loss of income due to the pandemic, a copy of their housing lease and photo identification. Payments will be sent directly to landlords and utilities.
Applicants will receive an email notification when AHFC sends out the payments.
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