Oakland County Launches Program To Help Those Behind On Rent

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Oakland County residents who have fallen behind on rent, mortgage or utility payments because of a lost job or other income reduction due to the coronavirus pandemic may be eligible for a one-time grant of up to $15,000 per household, the county announced recently.

County Executive David Coulter introduced the Rent, Mortgage & Utility Relief Program for Citizens that will pay up to three months of past-due rent, housing or utility bills for low income Oakland County residents who have been unable to pay their bills because of an income hardship directly related to the pandemic.

“This pandemic has been devasting to our economy, our businesses and so many of our residents,” Coulter said in a statement. “This program will give some residents who have lost jobs or had their income severely reduced a chance to get back on their feet without having the added pressure of figuring out how to stay in their house, apartment or having their utilities shut off and still managing to keep their families – and themselves – safe.”

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The county Board of Commissioners approved a $5 million allocation from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act last week to fund the program. An additional $3.1 million comes from the federal community development block grants, the county said.

Applications for the program can be found here and will be accepted beginning Wednesday through August 31. A second phase begins October 1 to November 30.

Residents of 53 Oakland County communities that participate in the county’s community development block grant program are eligible to apply. Residents of Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Southfield and Waterford Township are not eligible as those communities receive funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lake Angelus, Novi Township, Southfield Township and Bingham Farms do not participate in the block grant program.