The city of Philadelphia announced its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program for those in need of housing assistance during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on Friday.
The program is open to renters with a valid current lease who have lost income because of COVID-19. (Note: You do not have to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.)
Applications for the program will be accepted at PHLRentAssist.org beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 12. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Visit the website for more information about the program or call 311 if you do not have access to the Internet.
Income guidelines are as follows:
You must provide these documents to apply:
- A copy of your valid, current lease, signed by your landlord;
- Proof of income from before the COVID-19-related income loss for all adult members of the household; and
- An ID that matches the name on your lease.
- You will have to submit:
- The online application
- A Housing Condition Survey
- An affidavit confirming your loss of income due to COVID-19
You are NOT eligible if:
- You live in public housing
- You receive other government rental assistance (Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, etc.)
- You have unpaid rent from before April
- You are in the process of being evicted
Funding is limited and if you do not receive funding or need other assistance, visit PhillyTenant.org or call the Philly Tenant Hotline at 267-443-2500 for information about legal options for tenants facing eviction, potential short-term payment assistance and other programs for renters.
Below are some frequently asked programs about program eligibility.
Stay up to date with the latest information on the pandemic at senatorhughes.com/coronavirus. Please do your part to help stop the spread of the virus. Stay safe, stay at home, and don’t forget to wash your hands!
Here is guide issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, helping provide clear guidance and direction in response to coronavirus COVID-19. The residents of Philadelphia and its suburbs have been ordered to remain at home as to help prevent spread of coronavirus, find out what that means for you.
Montgomery County is doing the same.
Here are some reminders about preventing spread of the disease:
Best practices to plan, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms of the COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.
What to do if you think you have coronavirus COVID-19, according to the CDC:
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Wear a facemask if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
For more details on what to do prevent coronavirus COVID-19 spread, visit the CDCs full list of recommendations.
Read more: CDC recommendations on getting tested for coronavirus
