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Skagit County residents have a convenient option to get pre-approved for help with rent and utility bills. Monday the County launched a new online portal where renters can complete a simple eligibility survey and get matched with a rental assistance provider, or complete an application for assistance.

Access the portal at http://www.skagitcounty.net/renthelp.

The Skagit County Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible Skagit County renters, and their landlords, who may be struggling to afford rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Skagit County Rental Assistance Program is made possible by an $8.9 million grant provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce and funded by the Treasury Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP). The program is intended to prevent evictions during the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis by paying past due and current/future rent and utilities for people needing relief.

“We know that many Skagit County residents have been impacted by COVID-19, and some are having trouble staying current on rent,” said George Kosovich, Skagit County Public health analyst. “Help is available, and we are hopeful that the new online portal will make it easier for residents and landlords to connect up with rental assistance providers.”

Households must meet all four of the following screening criteria to be eligible for rental assistance:

• Someone in the household has been unemployed for at least 90 days, or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Must be currently experiencing housing instability or risk of housing instability, which may include unpaid rental fees or anticipation of inability to pay future rent.

• Household income is at, or below, 80% of Area Median Income.

• Household resides in Skagit County.

Rental assistance providers available after completing the eligibility survey are for residents, including young adults and farmworkers, including:

• FORWARD Online Application

• Housing Authority of Skagit County

• Volunteers of America Western Washington

• Community Action of Skagit County

• Catholic Community Services Farmworker program

• Northwest Youth Services

Three organizations will offer outreach and extra assistance to complete the online assistance application:

• Skagit Legal Aid

• Community to Community Development

• Parent to Parent

Information and to check eligibility and apply for assistance: skagitcounty.net/renthelp or 360-416-1500.

Source: Skagit County government