Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird on Thursday recognized the success of the City’s legal and financial assistance programs during the pandemic and said the City and Lancaster County remain focused on preventing evictions in the community following the end of the federal eviction moratorium in August
Gaylor Baird said that the City’s rent and utility program has assisted thousands of residents during the pandemic and distributed over 68% of the money received last March from the first round of Treasury Department funding. Over $3.5 million from the first round of financial aid remains to be distributed.
“So far, our rent and utilities assistance program has provided $8.3 million dollars to help over 1,700 families stay housed. Seventy percent of those funds have gone to support families with the greatest need, those with incomes below 30% of area median income. To put these numbers in perspective, this means the vast majority of funds have helped those whose income is $26,000 or below a year for a family of four,” Gaylor Baird said.
More information on housing and utility assistance and the application forms are available at both lincoln.ne.gov/rent and the Resident Resource page at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Tenants and landlords may also call 402-413-2085 for assistance.
In anticipation of increased eviction filings, Gaylor Baird said that the City’s Tenant Assistance Project (TAP) seeks additional attorneys and volunteers to continue assisting residents in need. Those interested in helping TAP are urged to contact the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project at nevlp@nevlp.org or 531-220-6773.
For more information on TAP, visit lincoln.ne.gov/TAP.