St. Tammany Parish launching rental assistance program
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Updated: 4:16 PM CDT Apr 12, 2021
WDSU Digital Team
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Updated: 4:16 PM CDT Apr 12, 2021
WDSU Digital Team
St. Tammany Parish is launching a rental assistance program for people hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic.St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper and Jeanne Marino, St. Tammany Parish Director of Grants, made the announcement Monday in a news conference.The St. Tammany Rental Assistance Program (STRAP) which will utilize $7.7 million in CARES Act funding from the Department of Treasury, is fully underway, according to Parish President Mike Cooper. This program is available to assist households that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Tammany Parish Government has opened two locations, one on Koop Drive in Mandeville, and one in Slidell at the Towers building, for in-person applications. Officials are asking that applicants make an appointment to be served, by calling 985-898-3016 or by emailing STRAP@stpgov.org. “Our offices are up and running, and I am urging citizens who need this assistance to schedule an appointment and apply,” President Cooper said. “We know that many in our community are in need and we are here to ensure these funds are made available to those who need them as quickly as possible.”St. Tammany Parish Government is slated to receive an additional round of funding in the near future. That date and amount have not yet been announced. Rental assistance provided to an eligible household must not be duplicative of any other federally funded rental assistance provided to such household. The St. Tammany Rental Assistance Program (STRAP) is now accepting applications for the following households: Households with an income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) which is approximately $56,300 for a family of four; Households that have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; and Households that are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.Support documentation will be required prior to issuance of payments. Additional information on this program can be found at: www.stpgov.org/departments/grants. Applicants who have questions, or who plan to apply, should email their contact information, including mailing address to: STRAP@stpgov.org.