FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2020

For Information or to Apply for Rental Assistance:

cityoftacoma.org/coronavirus 

To Apply for Rental Assistance Online:

cityoftacoma.org/covidrent

For Help on the Phone Contact:

LASA (253) 581-8689

For Translation Services: 

LASA at (253) 582-5320 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon for assistance. 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications, tjumper@ci.tacoma.wa.us, (253) 591-5152
Megan Snow, Media and Communications, msnow@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5051

City of Tacoma Launches Rental Assistance Program

 The City of Tacoma has allocated $1.2 million to assist eligible households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with rent payment.

The program, which launched today, provides a one-time payment of up to $1,000 directly to landlords of selected individuals or families who live in the city limits of Tacoma and have experienced loss of employment or reduction in wages due to COVID-19 resulting in an income level at or below 50 percent Area Median Income for Pierce County.

"Doing what we can to stabilize families is an essential part of our efforts to protect and support public health,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “This is why I am excited that we have moved quickly to launch this COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program. In this time of great uncertainty, these payments to landlords are one small way we can ease the worries of our impacted neighbors and provide some stability while they connect with expanded State and Federal Resources."

To apply for the City’s rental assistance program, people can submit an application online at cityoftacoma.org/coronavirus cityoftacoma.org/coronavirus. The application will be accepted through May 6, 2020, and will be included in an award lottery. In keeping with the City’s Welcoming Cities Policy, we will not be tracking or providing information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement about immigration or citizenship status.

Some funds have been set aside for direct referrals by community agencies that are helping to address inequities faced by people of color in our community. If you are a service provider that would like to make a direct referral, please contact LASA at communityengagement@lasawa.org.

“While we know COVID-19 is affecting all people, we also know that people of color face additional systemic barriers that result in disparate health and economic outcomes,” said Deputy Mayor Keith Blocker. “We must take action to address this inequity, which is why we have set a goal to distribute 45 percent of the funds to households identifying as people of color.”

People who need translation services or have trouble accessing the online link, can call (253) 582-5320 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon for assistance.

The City is anticipating the program will be able to process about 100 applications per week and to complete the distribution of funds over a fifteen-week period.
More information about the City’s response to COVID-19 is available at cityoftacoma.org/coronavirus.

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