August 18th, 2021 – Islip Town Supervisor, Angie Carpenter was joined by the Town of Islip Community Development Agency Executive Director, James Bowers and Julia MacGibbon, CDA Assistant Director, to discuss the Town’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for residents and businessowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The ERAP provides financial assistance and housing stability for low to moderate income households that have experienced hardship due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are currently available to tenants and landlords and are provided through the U.S Department of Treasury, then distributed by the Town of Islip CDA.
“The Town of Islip CDA has made people feel comfortable asking for help,” said Islip Supervisor, Angie Carpenter. “Residents are experiencing trying times through no fault of their own, and we are grateful we’re able to help keep them in their homes,” added the Supervisor.
In order to qualify for ERAP, some of the requirements are: the applicant must reside or own a unit within the Town of Islip or its Villages within it, applicant must have a valid lease, rental agreement or self-attestation of rental arrangement, applicant must have suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19 as a result of a lay-off, termination, furlough or reduction of hours/pay, the applicant’s rent arrearages must be on or after March 13, 2020, one or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of housing instability or homelessness and all household members over 18 must agree to participate in the program and provide required documentation. Income requirement for the applicant applying must be or at under 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Nassau/Suffolk County.
Applications and supporting forms are available online for applicants to fill out, and can be submitted through the Town of Islip Community Development Agency’s website www.islipcda.org or the Town of Islip website www.islipny.gov under the Emergency Rental Assistance tab. Income Documentation must be provided by all household members over the age of 18 and additional documentation applicable to the ERAP application such as an eviction notice letter, Statement of Rent Arrears or Tenant Declaration of Hardship during COVID-19.
“We have been able to disperse about $1.6m to date,” said James Bowers, CDA Executive Director. “This program has given tenants and landlords peace of mind until such time that their circumstances improve,” he added.
For more information on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, program requirements and to apply, visit Town of Islip Community Development Agency at islipcda.org. If you have any questions or need assistance with applying, call (631) 647-5683 or (631) 647-5685.