Tuesday the Department of Human Services Deputy Secretary Inez Titus met with Monroe County leaders to discuss how to reach out and encourage the many residents of Pennsylvania facing eviction or utility shut-offs due to COVID-19, as well as discuss the incredibly important and urgent resources.

“Throughout the last 20 months, we have all experienced the instability, anxiety and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single one of us has been adversely affected by the pandemic in some way, but those tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who have been forced to choose between putting food on the table, paying for child care, and paying rent to keep their families safe, have suffered severely,” she said.

When the pandemic began, eviction bans were established to help people stay if they were unable to pay rent due to lost jobs or reduced hours connected to COVID-19. But now the nationwide and local eviction moratoriums are ending.

“Through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, people who are facing evictions due to unpaid past rent or upcoming rent or delinquent utilities and pending shut-offs can find help through the program especially as federal, state and local eviction moratoriums end,” Titus said.

Titus stressed how important it is for residential renters and landlords not to wait to pursue assistance available through ERAP.

A recent survey found more than 86,000 Pennsylvania adults were living in households where they were somewhat likely or very likely to be evicted in the next month. That is 45% of Pennsylvanians surveyed.

How ERAP can help

“COVID hit us hard, and we felt a little off balance, and getting that money back in the hands of our residents in Monroe County is certainly helping to get our feet back on the ground and helping our most needy,” said Commissioners’ Chairwoman Sharon Laverdure.

“One of the things this program does is, not only helps our constituents, but it also helps our agencies. It gives a better connection for people to realize what other agencies are doing,” Commissioner John Christy said.

Vice Chairman John Moyer agreed and said, “This has been a tremendous lift to our community, and I think it was a tranche of money that fell into our hands - $11 million. The first question is how the heck are we going to get this money distributed to those who are most in need?”

Moyer also thinks it’s a testament to the community agencies on the magnificent job in getting people who are most in need receiving this money.

Along with the first $11 million the county received, another $5 million is coming, and according to Moyer the money is well on its way to helping the community

If you need to reach out for help in housing, food or utilities shut-offs contact Monroe County ERAP Information Line: 570-243-6677.