In March, Arizona set up a program to help cover rent for people who have lost income due to the pandemic. About 11,000 have applied for relief, but most have not received anything. Now, some state legislators want answers from the housing department.
“We have a state rental assistance program for people who have been affected by COVID-19 and yet there’s been all kinds of delays in getting this money out to the actual renters,” said Rep. Kirsten Engel of Tucson.
→ Few Have Been Helped By Arizona COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program
The COVID-19 Rental Eviction Prevention Assistance program is run by the Arizona Department of Housing, but administered by 11 smaller regional agencies. Some agencies tasked with processing the applications say the paperwork the Department of Housing asks for makes the application cumbersome for applicants and slows the approval process.
Engel and Rep. Andres Cano say it has been taking too long for renters to get relief. The legislators are calling for the Department of Housing to answer questions by Friday.
“We really want some feedback from [the Department of Housing] on how we can help them to streamline this program," Engel said.
Gov. Doug Ducey initially budgeted $5 million for the eviction prevention program. But Engel said tens of millions are still left in the state’s coronavirus Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund that also could go toward rent relief.
