Nearly $1.4 million of federal funding to be administered by CDCLI to assist renters whose incomes decreased due to pandemic
In recognition of the financial hardship faced by residents over the past year, Supervisor Rich Schaffer and the Babylon Town Board have announced a rental arrears assistance program worth nearly $1.4 million to help those in the town who are unable to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) and paid for through federal funding, the Town of Babylon relief program will provide payment of up to three consecutive months of unpaid rent for the period beginning April 2020. Relief payments will be made directly to landlords or property owners whose tenants have demonstrated a loss in income as a result of the pandemic and are able to meet certain eligibility requirements.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of so many and left economic destruction in its wake. While we always seek to help those in need, it is now more important than ever to do so,” said Supervisor Schaffer. “The Town of Babylon’s rental arrears assistance program will help keep roofs over the heads of struggling residents, support landlords and alleviate some of the financial pain being felt in our area. On behalf the Babylon Town Board, I would like to thank CDCLI for their assistance with this program and for the great work that they do to get assistance to those who need it.”
“As we approach the one-year mark of the region’s shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, things still feel and are very uncertain,” said Gwen O’Shea, President and CEO of CDCLI. “Countless individuals and families are struggling with the uncertainty of their housing; as they have fallen behind on their rental payments. This program starts to chip away at that uncertainty. CDCLI is proud to partner with the Town of Babylon on the rental arrears program to begin bringing relief to renters and their families, landlords and the overall local economy.”
Interested parties are invited to submit an Initial Inquiry Form, located at www.cdcli.org, between the dates of February 26 and March 18, 2021. The initial submissions will be reviewed by CDCLI, who will determine whether the potential applicant may meet the necessary criteria for eligibility. Following the initial inquiry stage, those who have been deemed by the CDCLI to be potential candidates will then be provided with the full application. This two-step application process allows the Town of Babylon and CDCLI to see that those who need help the most are the ones who receive it through this program.
The funding for this program, which totals $1,392,300, is provided through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Program Overview:
Eligible Applicants:
- Individuals renting a home or apartment in the Town of Babylon as indicated in a lease agreement in effect as of March 2020.
- Renter’s TOTAL household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. For a single person the maximum income is $70,900; for two persons $81,050; for three persons $91,150, etc.
- Monthly rental payments can go up to HUD’s established 2020 Fair Market Rents by unit size, as follows: Efficiency ($1,298); One-Bedroom ($1,624); Two-Bedroom ($1,992); Three-Bedroom ($2,563), etc. (full details will be available on-line.)
- Renter must have a demonstrated loss of income due to COVID 19
- Renter must have been current on their rent prior to March 2020 and not be related to the property owner/landlord.
- Applicants will have to disclose any funds they received to assist with missed rent payments such as the New York State COVID Rent Relief Program. Individuals may still qualify for the Town of Babylon’s program if there is still an outstanding rental arrears, but they are not permitted to accept a duplication of award/rent from both programs.
Application Process:
- Impacted renters submit an online Initial Inquiry Form (Only ONE is necessary per household).
- Initial Inquiry Forms will be received for THREE Weeks.
- Once the initial inquiry period closes, forms will be randomly assigned lottery number, to ensure fairness and then selected residents will be invited to complete a full application in numerical order.
- Although residents are encouraged to complete the process on-line, support will be available by phone if needed.
Arrangement with Landlords:
- Payments will be made directly to the property owner/property manager
- Property owner/landlord must agree to accept the program funds as payment in full for the covered months
For more information, please visit www.cdcli.org or call 1-800-375-1014.