Harrison County Offers Emergency Rental Assistance
The Harrison County Board of Supervisors has approved a $6 million federal grant to provide emergency rental assistance to residents who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This covers the cities of: Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, Saucier, Pass Christian, Lyman, D’lberville. The funds will be administered by the Open Doors Homeless Coalition, and will be available to households with incomes below $48,700 for a family of four or $34,100 for an individual.
To be eligible for assistance, households must have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19, such as job loss, reduced hours, or medical expenses. They must also be current on their rent or have a payment plan in place with their landlord.
Eligible households can receive up to 12 months of rent assistance, plus an additional three months of forwarding payments, for a total of 15 months of rental support. Assistance with utilities may also be available, depending on the program guidelines.
To apply for assistance, households should contact their landlord to see if they have already started the process with the Open Doors Homeless Coalition. If not, households can call 228-604-8011 toll-free for more information.
The deadline to apply for assistance is August 15, 2023.
Eligibility requirements
- Household income must be below $48,700 for a family of four or $34,100 for an individual.
- Households must have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19.
- Households must be current on their rent or have a payment plan in place with their landlord.
Applying for assistance
- Proof of income for each household member.
- Documentation of the financial hardship caused by COVID-19.
- A copy of the lease agreement.
- The landlord’s signature on a few documents.
For more information about the Harrison County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, please call 228-604-8011 toll-free.
In addition to the Harrison County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, there are other resources available to help Mississippians who are struggling to pay their rent. The Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program (RAMP) is a state-funded program that provides rental assistance to households with incomes below 80% of the area median income. The deadline to apply for RAMP assistance is August 15, 2023.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Denise Madison, age 34, is an expert in housing policy and rental assistance. Denise earned her Master’s in Public Administration from McGill University, focusing her thesis on the effectiveness of rental assistance programs in major Canadian cities. After graduation, she worked with the Canadian government before transitioning to a consulting role in the United States, aiding in the enhancement of federal housing policies and programs. Denise is known for her practical workshops and seminars aimed at landlords and tenants, fostering better understanding and compliance with housing laws. When not at work, Denise cherishes time with her husband and their three young children, exploring the outdoors and teaching them about the importance of community involvement.
