COVID Resources for Landlords and Homeowners
The pandemic isn’t over yet—especially not financially. Today’s blog post isn’t light reading, but if you need help with your mortgage during COVID, these resources can help you get by until things get back to normal.
Rental Assistance Programs for Landlords and Owners
- Eviction Rental Assistance Program (E-RAP): provides up to 12 months of arrears and 1-month future rent; application can be initiated by landlord; tenants must be at or below 80% of local AMI and still occupying the unit. Part of the CARES Act.
- Treasury Rental Assistance Program (T-RAP): provides up to 12 months of arrears and 3 months future rent (can include utilities not included as rent in lease); application can be initiated by landlord; arrears must have direct or indirect relation to COVID. Part of the CARES Act.
- Limited Landlord Relief Program (for the mom and pop owners): Cover owners whose income is at or below 80% AMI and the owner has 4 units or less. Units cannot be owned by a corporate entity or managed by a PM; can pay up to 80% of rent arrears.
- Landlord Mitigation Program: Covers up to $5K in damages; can include lost rent from COVID. Applies to owners with subsidized tenancies only. Program Information:
- Tenancy Preservation Program: requires a court-ordered repayment agreement or judgment; functions as a loan to reinstate the tenancy for which the tenant is ultimately responsible to pay back to the Commerce Department.
Landlord Organizations & Public Access COVID Resources
- Rental Housing Association of Washington: Public access COVID resources
- WA State Multi-Family Housing Association: Public access COVID resources
- COVID-19 Tools for Landlords Tenants Impacted by COVID-19: Tools for Landlords
- WA State Office of the Attorney General:if owners are unsure as to whether a particular action would violate the State moratorium, they can contact the AG’s office through a complaint, just as a tenant.
Resources for Homeowners with Mortgages
- Washington Homeownership Resource Center
- Department of Financial Institutions
- Northwest Justice Project’s Foreclosure Prevention Hotline: useful if someone has received notice of default or trustees sale
- King County Public Health Guidance for Housing Managers, Staff, and Residents: property managers can get training on how to handle COVID-19 requirements from King County Public Health.
Legal Help
- Lawyer Referral Service: King County Bar Association
- Moderate Means Program: Washington State Bar Association (serves between 200-400% of the area median income)