The COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CERA) is accepting the last batch of applications as the program is set to exhaust all of its funds. The final date for Michigan renters and landlords to submit an application for emergency rental assistance is June 30th.
The program has been funded through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority since March 2021. It was put in place to help people facing COVID related economic hardship avoid eviction.
The program has approved over 130,000 people for emergency assistance, and over $750 million has been distributed with the average household receiving about $5,600.
CERA applications are submitted through an online portal, and the portal will close on June 30th. Once the program ends, those who are facing eviction and need help will have to contact their local Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA).
Locally, HARA is operated by Blue Water Community Action Agency, and they work with families and individuals at risk of homelessness, those who need help with rent, and those facing eviction or utility shut-offs.
The HARA Coordinator for Blue Water Community Action Agency is Bernie Newby, and she can be reached at (810) 982-8541 or more information is available on the website here:
https://www.bwcaa.org/housing-support-housing-assessment-resource-agency-hara
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
