A Clark County rental assistance program will be coming to an end this month.
According to a press release shared by the county government, the Clark County Cares Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), established with state and federal funds to alleviate the COVID-19 impact, will end on Jan. 23 and transition to helping residents in need. The CHAP program was established to help low-income families pay for utilities and rent.
“The CHAP program was a critical resource and a lifeline for many who were facing substantial financial hardship during the pandemic,” Clark County Commission Chairman Jim Gibson said in the release.
More than $375 million has been earmarked by the CHAP program, which provided utility assistance to over 60,000 households and rental aid to 70,000 homes since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program helped mitigate homelessness and now will focus on helping families that are facing eviction because they can’t afford rent.
The county is investing $160 million through the Welcome House Community Housing Fund to fund new home projects and dwelling rehabilitation as housing alternatives in light of the demand for housing.
According to Gibson: “Those efforts will continue as CHAP now transitions to focus on helping the most vulnerable populations maintain and secure affordable housing while Clark County seeks permanent housing solutions through Welcome Home, our community housing fund. I would encourage residents to understand the changing eligibility requirements for rental assistance going forward and to take the appropriate action as needed.”
