The Summit County Housing Authority has launched a new grant program for local nonprofits offering emergency financial assistance to residents struggling to pay rent. “The intention of the program is to gather data from these nonprofits so that we can, as a housing authority, identify where th e most need is and tailor our program if we decide to have our own internal rental assistance program,” explained Housing Authority Executive Director Maddy McDonough. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, but we want to make sure that community members are getting the assistance they need.” The Housing Authority, now in its second year of operations, allocated $150,000, or 45% of its overall budget, to the new grant. Registered nonprofits with rental assistance programs are eligible to apply for the grant to obtain additional funding, increasing the number of renters they can afford to help. McDonough said examples of organizations with relevant programs include Community Action Services and Food Bank, the Christian Center of Park City and the Summit County Clubhouse. “Typically, emergency rent programs are the last step prior to eviction, so it’s an important time to be able to help and intervene in that cycle so we’re keeping people housed,” McDonough said. “We’re trying to lengthen the runway to make sure folks who are experiencing some sort of change that requires … assistance have time to be able to correct the situation, like finding a new job or whatever it may be.” The nonprofits receiving grant funding must meet certain requirements to participate in the Housing Authority’s program. Specifically, renters must live in unincorporated Summit County and earn 60% or less of the area median income, which would be $101,280 annually for a family of four. Renters must also work at least 30 hours per week in Summit County, be recently retired or be unable to work because of a disability, and McDonough said the Housing Authority has asked its nonprofit partners to collect data on why renters need financial assistance. “We expect some of those reasons are going to have to do with job loss, a medical condition, maybe changes in family circumstances,” McDonough said. “We’ve heard anecdotally that, particularly this season with the low snowfall, there were some employees who were relying on seasonal tourism, but their hours were cut or there weren’t as many people showing up, so their tips were lower. … We don’t have the data yet to say it’s this percentage of the community, so we’re hoping to get more of that information.” McDonough said four nonprofits applied for the first round of funding, and the Housing Authority board expects to award and allocate the grant at its meeting next week. Community members interested in applying for assistance will need to contact those organizations directly, not the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority is working on a few other pilot programs, including an incentive for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to increase affordable housing offerings. McDonough invited property owners and interested residents to reach out to the Housing Authority or attend a board meeting to share how they would prefer the program functions, especially regarding cash incentives. “The county is still exploring short-term rental programs and what that might look like to address affordability concerns with housing in the area,” McDonough added. “I don’t think short-term rentals are the only thing impacting housing affordability, but it’s certainly something to consider. … One of the county councilors made a comment that researching the impact of short-term rentals should be explicitly in our strategic plan, so that’s been added to our scope more directly.” Information about the Summit County Housing Authority is available at summitcountyutah.gov/2357/Summit-County-Housing-Authority. The post Housing Authority launches grant to help residents struggling to pay rent appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less