Website aims to help Detroit, Wayne County tenants, landlords apply for rent aid program

A group of nonprofit organizations have created a new website where Wayne County residents can apply for rent aid through a new statewide program to distribute federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Eligible renters and landlords can apply online through the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency at waynemetro.org/ceraapp for the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance, or CERA, program to get back rent payments and help with utilities and internet bills.

The new program comes two weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's moratorium on evictions is slated to end March 31.

CERA replaces a $50 million rent aid program that ended in December. In the gap between the end of that last program and the start of a new one, roughly 4,000 people across Wayne County sought rental aid, according to Wayne Metro. On Monday, the first day of Wayne Metro's website launch, the organization saw 500 new applications for rent assistance. Partners in the website include Lakeshore Legal Aid, Heat and Warmth Fund and United Community Housing Coalition. 

The CERA program can provide up to 12 months in past-due rent, and up to three months for future rent and utility assistance. Internet stipends may also be available. Both tenants and landlords can apply for the program. 

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To qualify, households must have an income below 80% of the area median income, or AMI. That translates to less than $44,000 for a one-person household in Wayne County. Renters must prove that they experienced a COVID-19-related hardship after March 13, 2020, and demonstrate that they're at risk of housing instability by showing a past due utility or rent notice. 

Unlike past federal rental assistance, a notice of eviction is no longer required to qualify for the program, City of Detroit officials said during a Wednesday news briefing. Those who qualify include: renters with court order summons, complaint, or judgment against them; renters behind on rent or utilities and have a past due notice; and landlords with tenants behind on rent.

In order for landlords to receive the entire past due payments, the property must be free from health and safety threats. Some examples include holes in the roof, lack of hot water or heat, vermin, black mold, or sewage backups. 

"We want to make sure that it is going to landlords who are either already in compliance or are committed to making the repairs. So, as part of the settlement when you come in, you may be required to use a portion of your back payment for needed repairs," Mayor Mike Duggan said Wednesday. 

Up to 50% of the amount approved for payment of past due rent may be released to the landlord for repairs.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority, also known as MSHDA, which is administering the new program through housing agencies across the state, said last week renters in the eviction process will be prioritized because of the approaching moratorium expiration, although people will still have the option to submit applications. 

MSDHA plans to launch a website late March or early April where renters and landlords can begin an online application process and then be paid by their local housing agency. 

Until then, Wayne County tenants and landlords can apply online through a separate interim application at WayneMetro.org/ceraapp or go to WayneMetro.org/cera for more information. Call 734-284-6999 for help with the application. 

The City of Detroit is directing people to go to DetroitEvictionHelp.com, which includes a link to the Wayne Metro application. People can also call the Detroit Eviction Helpline at 866-313-2520 for additional assistance. 

Detroit received $50 million out of $96 million in federal emergency rent aid approved by Congress in December, city officials said. The state Legislature — which appropriated $282 million out of $660 million in federal rent dollars — must approve the remaining amount. A month ago, the city had $5 million for rent help, Duggan said.

The new program is expected to help up to 16,000 households, said Tasha Gray, executive director of the Homeless Action Network of Detroit.

Nushrat Rahman covers issues related to economic mobility for the Detroit Free Press and Bridge Detroit as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA.

Contact Nushrat: nrahman@freepress.com; 313-348-7558. Follow her on Twitter: @NushratR. Sign up for Bridge Detroit's newsletter. Become a Free Press subscriber.