Carbon County Commissioner Chris Lukasevich announced earlier this month that 109 approved grants are helping Carbon families with rent through the Catholic Charities Emergency Rent Assistance Program.

“It helped 142 adults, but this program, probably more importantly, has given stability to 128 children in Carbon County, or at least the possibility of a more stable environment,” said Lukasevich.

Approximately 97% of the grants have been approved; 87 in April and 27 more in May.

“We know some of the challenges and stresses on children and adults during the pandemic,” Lukasevich said. “In total, we’ve paid out or obligated $570,000 of $4.22 million. We have $3.65 million remaining and we are going to work in concert with Catholic Charities to do an outreach to those who may be unaware of the program.”

Over $298,000 of assisting funds was allocated to 65 Carbon households in April, while just north of $171,000 helped 29 county households in May.

“We’re looking to leverage our county tax base information to get out to the homeowners, landlords - many who are out of Carbon County and make them aware of this program for the tenants and themselves,” Lukasevich added.

The application process is simple.

A tenant needs to provide a copy of a valid ID or license, lease, unemployment letter (if so), paystubs pre- and post-pandemic and utility bills showing arrears - in addition to the application itself.

The landlord must also fill out a portion of it along with displaying proof of ownership of the property and the W-9 form.

For more information, visit catholiccharitiesad.org/rent-assistance.