Rent, Mortgage Help Available For Lower Merion Residents

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Hundreds of thousands of Americans have felt negative financial impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, Lower Merion Township residents who have faced financial hardship due to the virus can get help staying in their homes.

The township is offering rent and mortgage assistance for qualified residents who have been impacted by the virus.

Rent and mortgage help is being made available through the Community Development Block Grant, Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Applications will be accepted until the funding is exhausted.

Low and moderate income households in Lower Merion that have experienced financial hardship due to temporary or permanent loss of employment income amid the coronavirus pandemic can get up to six months of rent or mortgage assistance.

Below are eligibility requirements to qualify for the assistance:

1. Must have either a rental agreement or a mortgage in their name.
2. Must provide documentation of all household income, including any unemployment collected by any member of household.
3. Applicant, or any household member whose income has been affected, must have applied for unemployment if eligible.
4. Must provide evidence of loss of income directly related to COVID-19 (unemployment, reduced hours, inability to work as self employed).
5. Household income cannot exceed 80 percent of AMI as of date of assistance.
6. Preference will be given to applicants who have liquid assets equal to no more than 6 months of housing related living expenses, including mortgage/rent, taxes, insurance and utilities. (Liquid assets include: checking accounts, savings accounts, stock accounts. Liquid assets do not include the home itself, cars, retirement accounts, education accounts)
7. Preference will be given to residents that met the household income standards prior to February 2020 as well as post February 2020. This will require the submission of documentation of income prior to February 2020.

Awardees will get assistance for up to three months, and grants are not to exceed the monthly mortgage, rent insurance up to a maximum of $5000 per household.

All payments will be made directly to landlords and mortgage holders.

Grant amounts will vary according to need and are intended to fill the gap to meet expenses after factoring in the difference between pre-coronavirus income and current income, including any unemployment compensation.

Download and application here and submit completed applications to Community Development Division/Building & Planning Dept., 75 E. Lancaster Ave. Ardmore, PA 19003. Applications can also be dropped of in person in the drop box outside the Parking Services Door of the Police Station, or by appointment, by calling Emily Crane at 610-645-6118.