The Lafayette Emergency Assistance Program receives cash thanks to the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021. (H.R. 133). This relief package contains $25 billion for emergency assistance with rental costs; out of this total, $7.2 million has been allocated to Lafayette Parish and the communities that are located there.
SMILE Community Action Agency is pleased to be a participant in this program and looks forward to a productive partnership with Lafayette Consolidated Government and Catholic Charities of Acadiana in the effort to assist families in avoiding evictions throughout the entirety of Lafayette Parish. SMILE Community Action Agency is pleased to be a participant in this program and looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Lafayette Consolidated Government and Catholic Charities of Acadiana.
SMILE Community Action Agency is ecstatic to be a part of this initiative and looks forward to its continued involvement. Since its inception in 1968, SMILE has remained dedicated to waging the “War on Poverty,” and our utility and rental assistance programs have remained an integral part of our range of services over these five decades. Since SMILE’s founding, we have helped thousands of people pay their rent and utility bills. In what ways does the program accommodate its participants?
The program will pay up to 12 months’ worth of back rent and utilities for applicants who are eligible for it, and it will also provide up to 3 months’ worth of assistance in the future for candidates who satisfy the standards.
Who is eligible to apply?
If renters in Lafayette, California fulfill all of the requirements listed below, they may be qualified to receive financial assistance through the Lafayette Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP) (LEAP).
Priority is given to households in which at least one member has been unemployed as a direct result of COVID-19 for more than ninety days, as well as to households with an income that is less than fifty percent of the median income for the area. This is required by the law. Additionally, priority is given to households in which at least one member has been unemployed as a direct result of COVID-19 for more than ninety days. Conditions for eligibility and important things to consider
- They are currently eligible for unemployment benefits or have been in the past, or they have experienced a drop in income or other forms of financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.
- They may be able to provide evidence of housing instability, such as rent or utility bills that are overdue or notice of eviction.
- Their combined household income is equal to or less than 80 percent of the median income for the region.
- Landlords can offer assistance to their tenants in the process of applying for this program.
Landlords that want to take part in the program are expected to forgive late fees, penalties, interest, portions of rent that are higher than FMR, and any court expenditures that may be incurred as a result of the tenancy dispute. In addition, after the aid period, the landlord or property manager is prohibited from evicting a tenant for at least ninety days. What is the proper way to apply? The Lafayette Emergency Assistance Program will begin accepting application submissions on Thursday, April 1, 2021. This will mark the beginning of the application process. Applications are available
- Online:
- In-person:
- Lafayette, Louisiana, 70501 Community Action Agency SMILE 501 St. John Street 337-234-3272 Extension 200 In addition, you can contact us through e-mail at info@smilecaa.org.
Applicants who need assistance in filling out the application have the option of either going to the office of LCG Human Services, which can be found at 111 Shirley Picard Drive, or calling the number 337-291-5450. Renters who live in locations outside of Lafayette Parish have the option of applying for help through the State of Louisiana by going to the website www.lastaterent.com or calling the toll-free number (877) 459-6555.
Angela Silva, a dedicated 42-year-old consultant specializing in government housing and rental assistance, hails from Sydney, Australia. She completed her education with a degree in Urban Planning from the University of New South Wales. Angela’s career has been marked by her relentless advocacy for affordable housing solutions, where she has worked extensively with both local governments and international agencies in Asia-Pacific regions. Her initiatives have led to the development of sustainable housing projects that cater to low-income families. Outside of her professional environment, Angela enjoys a peaceful life with her partner and their two adopted dogs, engaging in community gardening and urban sustainability projects.
