CARSON CITY — Rental assistance is now available for Nevadans living in short-term rentals and facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Nevada State Treasurer’s office announced today that applications are now being accepted for the state’s CARES Housing Assistance Program (CHAP).
CHAP’s $30 million in funding is provided through Coronavirus Relief Funds authorized under the CARES Act and administered by the Nevada Housing Division in coordination with Clark County Social Services, the Reno Housing Authority, and the Nevada Rural Housing Authority.
Additional funds from the state’s program will also provide additional support to those seeking assistance in Clark County.
Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine said the amount of funding still might not be enough.
“We fully anticipate there to be more demand for this program than we have in funding,” Conine said. “Therefore, we need the federal government to step up and provide additional support to tenants impacted by COVID-19 as soon as possible.”
The treasurer’s office said CHAP funds will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis and will be paid directly to landlords on behalf of tenants. The funds are offered as a grant, and tenants will not be required to pay anything back.
In order to be eligible for funds, applicants:
- Must be a tenant in Nevada with a current, active lease in which back-rent is owed;
- Must be able to demonstrate financial hardship due to COVID-19 (loss of employment, reduction in work hours, and/or reduction in wages);
- Must have a gross annual household income that is at or below 120% of Area Median Income;
- Must not be receiving Federal Voucher Housing Assistance; and
- Must have household liquid resources less than $3,000.
Tenants who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and have missed rent payments can visit housing.nv.gov to begin the application process.
Applicants will be directed to the appropriate housing agency based on their county of residence. Upon successful completion of the application, tenants will be notified upon approval and funds will be disbursed directly to the tenant’s landlord.
More information about the program can be found in both ENGLISH and SPANISH or by calling 2-1-1.
