Covid-19 emergency rent & utility assistance application closing Sunday, Sept.6

The City of Tucson Mayor and Council allocated more than $4.5 million of federal CARES Act dollars to fund an emergency rent and utility assistance program for City of Tucson residents struggling to pay rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) department partnered with several agencies to administer this program including Primavera, Interfaith Community Services, Catholic Community Services, and International Rescue Committee.

The application portal opened on Aug. 17 and more than 3,800 applications have been received to date. HCD staff has completed the initial review of 966 of these applications and forwarded them on to the three partner agencies. These agencies are immediately processing the applications and financial assistance is already being provided to applicants through payments to their landlords and utility companies, helping them to stay in their apartments and homes.

Based upon the number of applications received and the total available funding, the City of Tucson will be closing the program application at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6.  Community members who need assistance and meet the program eligibility requirements are encouraged to submit their application for consideration before the application closes.

To apply online, visit https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/rent-help. If you need assistance with the application process or are unable to complete the application online, contact (520) 837-5364 or email covidemergencyassistance@tucsonaz.gov.

Program details and eligiblity requirements include: 

• Household applicants requesting assistance must be City of Tucson residents and financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A household may be assisted once for up to three months of late or upcoming rent or utility obligations incurred after March 1, 2020.
• One application will be accepted per household for up to $2,500 of rental and utility assistance.
• Applicants will need to provide a copy of identification, copies of bills, and income and household information.
• Eligibility is limited to households making up to $68,400.
• If approved, the financial assistance will be sent directly to the applicants’ landlord or utility company. 
• Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance