Boundary County residents may qualify for three months of free rent

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County residents may qualify with three months of free rent through the Community Resource EnVision Center.

The Idaho Legislature approved $32 million of supplemental funding for emergency rental assistance in March. The emergency rental assistance funding fell under the Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s Housing Preservation  Program, which helps Idahoans outside of Ada County with their rent  or utilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since March, the Sandpoint-based Community Resource EnVision Center has been helping Bonner and Boundary County residents  apply for and receive those emergency rental funds. So far, it has helped 210 families and has brought $600,034 of emergency rental assistance to their landlords. CREC officials said they want Boundary County residents to know that if they are struggling to make ends  meet, they should apply.

The deadline to apply is at noon on Nov. 17.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY? 

1. Have you been affected by COVID? (The answer is yes, we all have.) 

2. Are you a renter with an active lease? 

3. Do you make less than 80% of the average median income? 

If you answered yes to those three questions, you qualify.

WHAT DO I NEED IN ORDER TO APPLY? 

1. An address, phone number, and email address 

2. A government issued ID (for you and all residents/dependents over 18 living at the household) 

3. Date of birth for all household occupants 

4. Proof of income for the last 60 days for all adults in the household (Includes wages, social security, pension,  unemployment, government assistance, and child support/alimony. Does not include food stamps) 

5. Lease agreement 

6. Eviction notice (if applicable) 

7. Landlord information: Name, email, phone number, and mailing address 

HOW CAN I APPLY? 

You can apply online at ihfa.rentrelief.com or you can connect with a Community Resource EnVision Center specialist. Call or email today to schedule an appointment. 

BONNERS FERRY: Carol Thompson

Carol@CRECidaho.com | (208) 920-1840

Thursday-Friday 9am-2pm

6615 Comanche St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805

SANDPOINT: Angella Barber

Angella@CRECidaho.com | (208) 920-1840

Monday-Friday 9am-2pm

130 McGhee Rd. Suite 220 Sandpoint, ID 83864