A program to help over 100 homeowners and renters in Norristown opened Wednesday morning.
The Emergency Mortgage, Rent and Utility Assistance Program (EMRUA) will provide $205,446 in relief to those who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought financial hardship to families. The program is funded by the CARES Act and is provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Each segment of the program provides relief over a three-month period at a certain dollar figure depending if you are a renter or are a mortgage-bearing homeowner.
The mortgage assistance funding is capped at $2,000 per family and/or $500 in utility assistance. Fifty homeowners can be helped in the mortgage/utility program. Rental assistance is capped at $1,500 per family and/or $300 in utility assistance. The rent/utility program is expected to help 68 families.
Criteria to be eligible for the program include being a Norristown resident, rent/own and reside in the property, and household income requirements as followed:
FAMILY SIZE | HOUSEHOLD INCOME
(NO MORE THAN) |
1 | $54,150 |
2 | $61,850 |
3 | $69,600 |
4 | $77,300 |
5 | $83,500 |
6 | $89,700 |
7 | $95,900 |
8+ | $102,050 |
The Municipal Council of Norristown voted at their Dec. 15 meeting to establish the EMRUA to help as many families as possible. A unanimous vote of council approved the scenario currently being administered that helps more families (118) over a scenario that provided more assistance to a fewer number of families (84).
The municipality’s Planning & Municipal Development Department secured program funding through HUD and contracted with New Jersey-based Community, Grants, Planning and Housing to administer the program.
Anyone looking to seek emergency relief funds are asked to call 484-808-2112 or fill out an application online at hip.cgph.net/Norristown-cares. Services will be available in Spanish at 609-366-9010. Applications will not be accepted at Municipal Hall.