KCMO COVID Emergency Eviction Prevention Program 2021
The Problem
Many Kansas City tenants are cost-burdened by their housing expenses due to a loss of income during COVID-19. This temporary financial setback has place tenants at risk of being unable to meet their housing obligations and in jeopardy of losing their housing due to eviction for non-payment of rent.
- Tenants with a history of eviction filings or judgments have a difficult time securing housing.
- The City Council desires to help tenants avoid eviction and preserve their housing, during the pandemic.
- The City will have access to federal stimulus funding to help tenants preserve their housing and avoid eviction. Providing a tenant with emergency assistance to avoid eviction is more cost-effective than is paying for legal representation for a tenant that faces eviction for non-payment of rent.
- Time is of the essence when it comes to providing emergency assistance to help tenants preserve their housing and avoid eviction.
The Solution
The City of Kansas City, Missouri establishes the KCMO Emergency Eviction Prevention Program which easily and effectively helps renters and housing providers during this crisis because it gets the rent paid as well as mortgages, property taxes, and property maintenance.
Program Guidelines
- Any tenant who is in compliance with all terms of their existing lease, except for their obligation to pay rent, may be referred to the City by their Housing Provider for Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance
- To be eligible for Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance a tenant must be able to demonstrate that they will be able to maintain their housing obligations after their assistance from this program expires.
- One-time Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance of up to $3,600 per term may be granted to specifically address a rent deficiency resulting from COVID-19.
- Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance is intended to temporarily avoid a lawful eviction for nonpayment of rent while enabling the renter several weeks to get back on track financially.
- Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance may be utilized to remain current on their rent and relocate to housing that is more affordable to the tenant.
- The Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance Program prioritizes those families with young children and the elderly.
- Any tenant, who has received assistance under the Emergency Eviction Prevention Assistance Program, may not receive assistance from another source for the same months.
- The City shall review and approve or deny a tenant’s Eligibility within 2 business days of receipt of the referral to the program.
- The city shall mail the necessary funds to the housing provider within 2 business days of verifying that the tenant is eligible for assistance. If the tenant receives assistance for more than 1 month, the city shall mail-out the needed assistance on or before the 1st day of each month up until the tenant’s assistance has been exhausted.
Cost and Impact
KCMO COVID Emergency Eviction Prevention Program cost: $2,000,000 in Federal stimulus funds. At an average of $900/month for 4 months, totaling $3,600 keeps 555 tenants housed.