Saladino: Federal Funds Available to Help Residents with Rent Payments, Utility Arrears & Security Deposits

To assist Town of Oyster Bay renters facing economic hardships, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board today announced the availability of $16 million in Federal funds for those facing housing insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this rental assistance program is being administered by the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP), qualifying residents can now register at www.oysterbaytown.com/rentalassistance. After registration, the LIHP will contact applicants to obtain documentation and information necessary to secure these funds.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “These Federal funds were granted to the Town of Oyster Bay to help residents recover from economic hardships created by the pandemic and government shutdowns. This rental assistance program provides critical funding to prevent homelessness and ensure those experiencing financial hardship are able to recover and rebuild their lives while having a stable place to call home.”

The program is designed to assist residents with current and prospective rent, arrears for utilities and home energy costs, and other expenses related to housing such as rental security deposits.  Assistance under this program could be provided for up to 12 months of payments, with an additional 3 months if necessary to ensure housing stability, and will cover arrears and costs accrued on or after March 13, 2020. Assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis until Federal funds have been exhausted.  Eligible residents must be able to answer yes to the following questions:

• Do you live in the Town of Oyster Bay as your primary residence?
• Is your household income (from all sources) at or below 80% of the U.S. Department of Urban Development (“HUD”) Area Median Income (“AMI”)?
• Are you at risk of homelessness or housing instability? (i.e. past due utility or rent notices)?
• Has one member of the household (a) qualified for unemployment, (b) had a reduction of income, (c) incurred significant costs, or (d) experienced a financial hardship?