Residents living in public housing that have lost work or seen their income reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic can get help with their rent.
Darrin Taylor, executive director of the Housing Authority of Poplar Bluff, said whenever a resident has a change in their income they can apply for an adjustment in rent.
“At this point and time we’re expediting it because we know we have this emergency situation,” Taylor said.
Housing Authority officials have already processed 19 families, Taylor said last week, and he expects that number to climb.
“We are being proactive, looking at all of our residents, but particularly families that are working, trying to determine, based on what we know locally what’s going on, what families might be impacted,” Taylor said.
Housing officials will be able to answer questions and process and access rent changes if the office should close and employees be forced to work from home, Taylor said.
The Housing Authority has 575 households in Poplar Bluff, including 286 families. Those residents with questions can call 573-785-8265.
The recently signed $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill features relief for all Americans in the form of one-time checks of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child to anyone making up to $75,000 ($150,000 per couple) a year. The benefit starts decreasing by $5 for every additional $100 in income.
It also includes provisions that require public housing to start an eviction moratorium for 120 days. It only applies to eviction for non-payment and does not cover any other type of eviction, such as criminal activity or safety of residents.
The eviction moratorium also applies to renters whose landlords have mortgages backed or owned by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other federal entities. Landlords cannot charge any fees or penalties for nonpayment of rent.