Rental Assistance

EOC’s Rental Assistance Program provides first month’s rent to secure permanent living quarters. Priority is given to persons living in emergency homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, or homeless persons living in cars or motels. Within these guidelines, those who are disabled and families with small children are the priorities.

First month's rent will not exceed $500 per month per year; assistance averages $400 per household. Checks are mailed directly to the landlord.

First month’s rent may be paid when an individual or family:

is transient and plans to stay in the area for an extended period of time; or

is moving from a temporary shelter to a more permanent living arrangement; or

is being evicted and must relocate because the payment of one month’s rent will not forestall eviction.

All persons seeking Eviction Prevention or Rental Assistance funding are counseled about budgeting and income management and are linked to other services that may help relieve their cash flow problems; for example, a household may be linked to other EOC programs for food, utility assistance, clothing, medical, or childcare services in order to “free up” money for rent and deposits. Households receive additional information and referral to help them understand other community services available to assist them in meeting emergency needs.