WE NEED RENT Relief!

Are you struggling to pay your rent and bills, or are you behind on rent due to the impacts of the pandemic?

apply for Vermont Emergency Rental Assistant Program "VERAP" here: https://erap.vsha.org/

The VERAP website states that aid can be applied to:

  • Rent

  • Back rent (arrears) to April 1, 2020

  • Utility bills, this includes electric and gas, fuel oil, wood and pellets

"The program will offer relief to landlords on behalf of renters and tenants experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic through its 2nd round of federal funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). "


Visit the VERAP website for more information and to apply for the program. https://erap.vsha.org/

Do you have unpaid rent during the pandemic? Apply for the Rental Housing Stabilization Program! (application closed December 11, 2020)

Apply for the Rental Housing Stabilization Program through the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA). VSHA is accepting applications from landlords and tenants, and paying landlords directly to bring the tenant’s accounts current.

There is no income limit and no requirement of proof that the non-payment is related to the pandemic.

The program pays up to the VSHA payment standards. If the landlord wants payment, the landlord must agree to waive rent amounts in excess of the payment standard for all the months paid for.

When the landlord accepts the money they have to promise to:
- drop any eviction
- not start a new eviction for the same number of months in the future as the money pays for
- not raise the rent before January 2021 or the end of your lease term — whichever is later
- make sure the unit is up to code in 30 days.

*VSHA needs applications from both the landlord and the tenant. You should talk to your landlord and agree on the amount you owe. Make sure that amount is on both applications. If you need help with your landlord, an eviction, or applying for the rent help, contact Vermont Legal Aid. You can also reach out to us for help from the Tenants Union of Brattleboro.

Apply for this rent help on the VSHA website HERE.

Letter Writing ACTION:
Stand with us and contact your Governor to demand covid Rent relief!

Please press the button below and copy this letter into the body of your email app to pressure our legislature to fight for tenants!


To Whom It May Concern:

As you are well aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has put many people in a precarious situation in relation to health and financial stability. I am writing to ask for your support in mitigating rent and mortgage related housing struggles during the COVID-19 crisis, an emergency in which it is imperative that people’s housing is protected.

State and Federal relief efforts such as student loan relief and expanded unemployment have been tremendously helpful, but are not enough to alleviate the stress of housing expenses for all people during work closures. As tens of thousands have lost significant income and services such as unemployment insurance are slow moving, or unattainable for many low-wage workers and undocumented people, I am deeply concerned that people will simply be unable to afford next month’s rent.

To ensure that no Vermonter’s housing, health, and safety is at increased risk during the pandemic, I am asking for your assistance in relieving housing precarity by enacting:

  • a statewide moratorium on all mortgage payments for homeowners, lasting through the length of the economic crisis;

  • a statewide moratorium on all evictions, lasting through the length of the economic crisis;

  • rent amnesty during the period in which the eviction moratorium is in place;

  • just cause eviction measures to follow after the above moratoriums are lifted, so that tenants cannot be evicted in retaliation for rent non-payment during the pandemic; and

  • a statewide rent freeze lasting through the end of the year so that rents cannot rise while tenants are recovering financially.

As other states around the country are taking similar measures with great success, we need to enact these policies to protect our communities and our state as a whole. These actions will make a huge impact on the ability of all Vermonters to get through this pandemic safely. It is essential that no person’s housing will be jeopardized during this public health crisis because of financial hardship.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Full Name]

[Home Address]

[Email Address]


Please press the button below and copy the letter into the body of your email app or email the governor through the form on Vermont.gov!