VERAP UPDATE: – Westbury Homeowners Association

The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) is coming to an end.

Following are the changes that will be implemented to VERAP beginning October 1, 2022

VERAP will STOP taking new applications for Rent.
Participants who receive rental subsidy (such as Section 8) will no longer be eligible for rental assistance.
Existing VERAP participants (those applying to VERAP prior to 10/1/22) will receive reduced assistance dependent on income, according to the following schedule.
- Participants with incomes between 31-80% of Area Median Income:
  - October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
  - November 2, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 50%
  - Assistance will end November 30, 2022
- Participants with incomes at 30% of Area Median Income and below:
  - October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
  - Assistance will be provided until funding is gone.

Other Expenses Related to Housing:

Application for Other Expenses Related to Housing are impacted as follows:

VERAP will stop taking new applications for Other Expenses Related to Housing Habitability Repairs on 09/23/2022
All Health and Safety Repairs must be completed, and all documentation uploaded by 11/30/2022
Stipulation Payments – New applications will not be accepted after 11/30/2022
- Arrears, Filing Fees, Sherriff Fees, and Plaintiff Legal Fees are eligible at 100% benefit
- Stipulations received after 9/30/22 cannot include forward rent
- Stipulations received after 9/23/22 cannot include damages
Rent into Court Applications will no longer be accepted after 11/30/2022
Money To Move applications will be accepted until 11/30/2022
- All money to move requests will be paid at 100% and need to be requested within thirty days of move-in date.

Hotel Payment Standards:

Utilities:

Participants receiving Utility Benefits are impacted as follows:

October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
Utility assistance will be provided for invoices dated up to December 31, 2022
All utility payments will end December 31, 2022

As you reach the end of your VERAP assistance, here are some resources that may be of interest to you Housing Resources Guide.

ELIGIBILITY

Must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling in Vermont.
One or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to the pandemic.
You’re able to demonstrate risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The household has an income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) Vermont Income Limits.

Tenants Need:

2020 or 2021 Annual Income (tax forms, W2, etc)
Current pay stubs (last 1 month)
Unemployment Compensation Benefits letter (if applicable)
Documentation for other income sources (Social Security or Disability, Child Support, Alimony, Pension as applicable)
Lease or rental agreement or letter of attestation from landlord
Eviction notice (If applicable)
Legal Name of your landlord

Please don’t get discouraged!

If you need assistance with the application process, community partners are available to help.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to make improvements to this program and user experience.

VERAP has provided a call center to answer your questions.
Please Call

PO BOX 2348

Hartford, CT 06101-9951

Monday- Friday: 8:30am-7:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm

taking new applications for Rent.
Participants who receive rental subsidy (such as Section 8) will no longer be eligible for rental assistance.
Existing VERAP participants (those applying to VERAP prior to 10/1/22) will receive reduced assistance dependent on income, according to the following schedule.
- Participants with incomes between 31-80% of Area Median Income:
  - October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
  - November 2, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 50%
  - Assistance will end November 30, 2022
- Participants with incomes at 30% of Area Median Income and below:
  - October 1, 2022, assistance will be reduced to 70%
  - Assistance will be provided until funding is gone.