BOISE, Idaho — Ada County applied for and received $12 million for people who rent their residence and struggled to pay rent and utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency rental assistance money is part of the second COVID-19 relief package and was distributed by the U.S. Treasury.
“If you have been unable to pay your rent basically because of COVID-related upheaval in your life, job, etc, then you have a very good chance of getting this money,” Ada County Spokesperson Elizabeth Duncan said.
The Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities (BCACHA) has been taking applications for two weeks and money is available for eligible residents now. In week one, BCACHA served 23 households in Ada County for a total of $110,000 in rent and utilities. For Boise, BCACHA has served 58 households for a total of $240,000 in rent and utilities.
The communications manager for Ada County says the organization has received a total of 460 Boise applications and 237 Ada County applications.
Emergency Rental Assistance for Ada County residents is available now! BCACHA has been taking applications for two weeks. Are you struggling to pay rent? Do you know someone who is? Have them apply now. https://t.co/NNroiNsij1
— Ada County (@Ada_County) February 26, 2021
“This pandemic has caused untold hardships for so many of our friends and neighbors through no fault of their own,” said Ada County Commission Chairman Rod Beck. “We are grateful this money is now available to Ada County residents, and we deeply appreciate the cooperation and expertise provided by our partners at the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities.”
Tenants and landlords, on behalf of tenants, can apply for assistance, The assistance includes not just rent, but electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal and additional energy costs like fuel oil.
"It's really simple. You just go to our homepage, adacounty.id.gov, and it's right there. Click on the application, fill it in, and if your eligible, you can get some relief and the money is available, so why not try?” Duncan said.
Click here if you need assistance and want to apply for the program. You can also call (208) 363-9710 for assistance.
