Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The City of Atlanta has taken the initiative to support families negatively affected by COVID-19 by allocating a total of $22 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to the Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program administered through United Way of Greater Atlanta (UWGA) in collaboration with local nonprofits to disperse the funds in the community. The Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Fund is a program that provides financial assistance for rent, utilities, and security deposits. This program seeks to fill the gaps for those, who have lost income because of COVID-19.

Yes. However, your unemployment must be a result of COVID-19 and your must have applied for unemployment assistance.

Assistance will be based on current household income and total monthly rent, utilities, and/or security deposit amount. Each household is eligible for assistance of a maximum of $3,000 in a period not to exceed 3 months.

No. This is not a loan. It is a grant and will not have to be paid back. However, if we discover that a recipient has falsified documents and has somehow defrauded the program, the money will need to be repaid.

No, the assistance is not income and will not be taxed. The payment will not affect income for purposes of determining eligibility for other Federal Government assistance or benefits.

The Atlanta COVID-19 Rental Assistance will be distributed directly to landlords or utility companies.

Yes. Preferences will be given to households with children, veterans, seniors, and differently abled individuals.

Yes. We will not discriminate based on race, sex, marital status, physical or mental disability, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, presence of children, source of income, sexual orientation, and family responsibilities.

Landlords will need to complete a W-9 tax form. The required W-9 tax form may be found here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

Service providers will contact landlords and/or utility companies via email/phone within 7 business days of you being approved.

Unfortunately, no. The Service Provider will contact your landlord and/or utility company and explain how the program works. Your landlord and/or utility company will need to decide to accept this rental assistance payment and sign some forms. The service provider cannot force your landlord and/or utility company to participate. If your landlord and/or utility company decides not to agree to participate, the service provider will have to deny your application. The Service Provider will notify you if that happens.

Please apply to the Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program by completing your application at the following link: https://relief.uwga.org/ You will be required to upload all of your documentation to your application through the application link above. If all documents are not uploaded, your application will not be accepted. If you need assistance with completing the online client application and/or a list of service providers performing, intake by phone, please contact 2-1-1. Ways to Contact 2-1-1:

• Access the client application by visiting www.unitedwayatlanta.org or by clicking here
• Text the keyword “C19ERA” to 898-211 to be directed to the client application (English and Spanish)
• Visit http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/ (must use Google Chrome to change language preferences)
• Call 2-1-1 to speak with a live 2-1-1 Community Connection Specialist. Hours are limited from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

We anticipate the deadline to apply will be late November based on availability of funds. If funds are depleted before November agencies will update applicants.

After submitting your application, documentation must be provided at the time of application or within 7 business days of the application submission date. The Service Provider will notify you by e-mail or phone once application has been received. Please allow up to 7 business days for a team member to review your case once your documentation has been fully submitted. After your case has been reviewed, the team member will contact you to notify you of next steps. If requested documentation is not received within 7 business days, your application will be closed, and you will have to reapply.

Yes. Applicants, who are denied participation or terminated from the program may appeal the decision to the Atlanta COVID-19 Rental Assistance Fund Program Manager. Appeals must be requested in writing and received by the Program Manager within five (5) days of the date of notice of denial or participation or termination of continued participation. Upon receipt of an appeal request, the Program Manager will schedule an in-person (or virtual) interview for case review with the applicant within 10 days of receiving the request. Applicants/former participants shall be allowed to present their case for an appeal at the review (including presenting documentation, explanations, and clarifications. The Program Manager will make an appeal decision and notify applicants within 10 days of the case review. The decision of the Program Manager is final and cannot be appealed.

If an applicant or former participant is successful in their appeal, their ability to receive assistance will depend on whether any Atlanta COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds are available on the date of the appeal decision. A successful appeal decision does not guarantee receipt of assistance.

You can contact United Way 2-1-1, which is a free, confidential, and available in 140 different languages. Ways to Contact 2-1-1:

• Access the client application by visiting www.unitedwayatlanta.org or by clicking here
• Text the keyword “C19ERA” to 898-211 to be directed to the client application (English and Spanish)
• Visit http://211online.unitedwayatlanta.org/ (must use Google Chrome to change language preferences)
• Call 2-1-1 to speak with a live 2-1-1 Community Connection Specialist. Hours are limited from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.