At the end of November, the City of Kingston partnered with Rupco to launch the Kingston Rental Assistance Program, which “provides up to three months rental arrears for low and moderate income families.”
Applications are open through December 31 and requirements for assistance included being a current renter residing in the city of Kingston, earning at or below the 60 percent area median income, proof of loss or reduction of income related to the pandemic and a lease or rental agreement.
“We are in an emergency situation with our housing and we are concerned for the potential of evictions coming up,” said Mayor Steve Noble.
The program hopes to serve between 20 and 25 households with a maximum assistance cap of $3,000 for each. Many more people than expected applied for the assistance, suggesting widespread need. However, most who were rejected didn’t qualify.
“Most of the folks [who were rejected] didn’t live in Kingston,” said Noble. “You have to live here … Our federal funds require us to be for just Kingston.”
In some other cases, individuals didn’t complete their application, already live in Rupco properties, or are already receiving ongoing rental assistance, such as Section 8, were not eligible for the program.
The lottery for the assistance will take place on January 12.
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