Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Second Round of Financial Aid Announced

Lincoln, Nebraska — Zayra Navarrete, a member of the Bilingual Central Navigator Community IMPACT Network in Adams, Clay, Nuckolls, and Webster counties, shared valuable information about the second round of emergency rental and utility bill assistance in a recent interview for our editorial team.

The Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program has begun accepting applications for a second phase of financial support for Nebraska residents who meet certain income requirements and have faced financial hardship during the pandemic.

According to Zayra: “Families that meet the established criteria may receive up to thirty thousand dollars for late and future rent payments, as well as for outstanding utility and internet bills. A limit of four thousand dollars is established for late payments for services and one hundred dollars per month for late payments for internet. These funds will also be used for services to ensure housing stability. It should be noted that a family will not be able to receive more than eighteen months of total combined assistance, including any assistance previously received during the first phase of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The funds, coming from a $48 million budget, are part of the second Emergency Rental Assistance program authorized by the US Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The management of this program falls under the Nebraska Investment Financing Authority (NIFA).

“Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, have an income at or below 80% of the area median income, and reside in Nebraska. In addition, it is a requirement to be a legal resident of the United States, excluding residents of Douglas and Lancaster counties, who have separate programs, as do certain Native American tribal entities,” she emphasized.

For more information and to apply, applicants can visit NebraskaRentHelp.org. Additionally, the application process has been made easier through online options, phone calls to 1-844-429-6575, and in-person or phone assistance provided by local Community Collaboratives.

For her part, Shannon Harner, executive director of NIFA, highlighted that: “The Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program seeks to provide essential relief to renter families in Nebraska, promoting housing stability and affordability. “Keeping people in their homes and ensuring they have access to necessary services is vital to maintaining healthy communities.”

Anyone who meets the criteria is urged to apply for this valuable assistance.