3 months behind on my rent in North Olmsted, OH
(Request from Samantha in North Olmsted, Ohio) i am three months behind on my rent I have two weeks to come up with the money. I do not want to lose my home. I have three kids and we love it here. I am currently trying to find a job because i am healed from my c section I had march 6 2014. Please help me find help. I pay 680 per month.
Dear Samantha,
There are a few emergency housing assistance and rental aid organizations that provide services primarily to lower income households of Cuyahoga County. It is generally recommended that you work through all the possible grant-based rental assistance programs to see what you are eligible for prior to taking the plunge with rental loans that can put you further in debt.
Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services
The Cuyahoga County Department of Job and Family Services operates the Prevention Retention & Contingency (PRC) program. PRC is one of the major grant-based rental assistance programs that serve. Cuyahoga County residents who have experienced significant hardship may qualify to receive cash assistance towards rent and other immediate needs.
Cuyahoga County Veteran Service Commission
If anyone in your household has provided military service, then you could receive help through the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission. Assistance can go towards your skipped rent payment, or it could even be put towards the security deposit for a new rental unit. If you think you qualify you may call 216-698-2632 with any questions as well as to request an application. The application is included in the Assistance Packet which will explain the documentation that you need to provide your caseworker.
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
In extreme situations where you are unable to work for an extended period of time, it may be possible to receive rent subsidies through the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). Federal subsidies are paid to the landlords of approved applicants, thereby lowering your share of the normal rent to only 30 to 40% of your total monthly household income. Resources are extremely limited though and the waiting list could be quite lengthy. If your household qualifies as extreme low income, you may apply for rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program by calling CMHA at 216-348-5000. A representative will advise when the waiting list may be open for new applicants. They can also help you schedule an appointment with the case worker who may refer you to other rental assistance programs. Most importantly, you could be matched up with a reduced cost rental unit.
Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland
While some community action agencies provide emergency rent payments, the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland (CEOGC) focuses more on stabilizing your situation through education and other services. One specific service that could be helpful though is the utility payment assistance offered by the agency. If you are approved for winter heating assistance, then this could reduce your overall bills thereby making your monthly rent more affordable. Call 216-518-4014 to inquire about the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP).
When you are substantially behind on your rent in North Olmsted, then it may be difficult to come up with three months worth of back rent all at once based on the types of assistance offered locally. What is more likely is that you may need to come to an agreement with your landlord on a plan to catch up on your rent payments, perhaps over the course of five or six months. If you can receive a few hundred dollars in rental assistance, then that could potentially avert the eviction and shorten the period of time it will take to get caught up. Any of these organizations can counsel you on how to approach this process, and your case manager may even be able to intervene on your behalf. To get started you will need to contact one or more of these organizations immediately to schedule an appointment with the caseworker.