News Flash

Low-income city residents behind on their rent or utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic can still seek assistance through Forsyth County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program now that the city has successfully completed its version of the federally funded program and helped more than 2,500 households.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program assists with rent and utilities, including electricity, water/sewer, natural gas, propane, garbage (county residents), fuel oil and internet. The program is open to renters with a household income of 80 percent or less of area median income, which varies by household size and is $55,100 for a family of four. 

The city has distributed all of the $11.7 million it had available for assistance. Forsyth County, in addition to the $6.7 million it received directly from the federal government, is slated to receive up to $16 million in state ERAP money. That money is available to any eligible renter in Forsyth County, including those who live in Winston-Salem.

Marla Newman, the city’s director of community development, said that the transition to county funding will be seamless to city residents. “The city and the county developed a common application process for both jurisdictions at the beginning of the program, so nothing is changing for city residents who want to apply for assistance,” Newman said.

City and county residents can apply for assistance at Forsyth.cc/ERAP or use a link on that page to make an appointment at the ERAP Application Lab at the Department of Social Services, 741 Highland Ave. Transportation is available for residents who do not have a means of getting to the application lab.

 Complete information about ERAP, including eligibility guidelines, a chart of income limits for households of 1 through 8 people, and links to apply online or schedule an appointment at the application lab, is posted at Forsyth.cc/ERAP. Residents without internet access should call 336-703-3700.