The McKean County Emergency Rental Assistance program is entering its final weeks, but there’s still money available to help those in need.

The program, coordinated by the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, helps renters who experienced financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance funds are distributed directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of eligible renters who are behind on rent and utility bills, as well as future payments.

Dan Wertz, administrator of the McKean County Department of Human Services, explained, “We still have approximately $300,000 available to help renters in our communities. We want to help every eligible household before the money is reallocated somewhere else.”

Applications can be submitted online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/RAP/Application.

If a resident does not have a computer to apply online, they may contact the Redevelopment and Housing Authority so that a staff member can help them complete the application over the telephone or in-person. Staff will work with applicants to identify and obtain required documents to support the request for financial assistance.

“So far, the program has assisted a total of 643 households with rental arrears, rental assistance, utility arrears and/ or utility assistance throughout McKean County,” explained Michelle Hatch, housing and homeless services coordinator for the Housing Authority. “The dollar amount of assistance that has been provided to these households is approximately $1.7 million.”

Pennsylvanians can apply for themselves as tenants, or a landlord can apply on behalf of current tenant(s).

A household must be responsible to pay rent on a residential property, and: