Euclid City Council recently approved finalizing a tenant-based rental assistance program which, according to Planning and Development Director Patrick Grogan-Myers, can be used in case people need to flee a bad rental situation. He said that program would allow for one security deposit and or three months of rent, depending on the situation. The $839,744 in funds that will be directed toward rental assistance is coming from the federal HOME-ARP program originally issued from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2021 and administered by Community Housing Solutions, a Cleveland based nonprofit. Michele Sims, housing and counseling program director for Community Housing Solutions, said that the program has started for Euclid residents but that they were still finalizing some of the last steps. She said that the financial requirement was finalized at 80% and below of the local income. She said that the best way for people interested in the program to find more information is by calling its Larchmere Boulevard location at 216-231-5815. Because of the funding stream, money cannot be used for other city projects and must be used toward housing programs that are designed to assist very “low-income tenants,” according to the ordinance. “The program as designed outlines the qualifications for the tenants and it numbers up to five depending on the situation,” Grogan-Myers said. “First and foremost, they must reside in a dwelling within the city of Euclid… they must meet economic guidelines that is a requirement for receiving these types of funds. “They must demonstrate an immediate economic hardship, such as a termination, layoff or furlough notice from their employer and in that case, the tenant must demonstrate that the non-payment of rent is the result of that economic hardship,” he continued. “In the case where there is domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, victimhood, they must show some type of documentation of that which can include a copy of a restraining order or a police report.” Grogan-Myers said in response to a question from council expressing concern that the program might encourage rental property ownership in Euclid, he said that the program avoids that because the money is a one-time offer. He said that in doing so the program more directly supports the person going through the hardship, instead of the landlord. “You cannot duplicate the services to repeat clients, so this is really designed to be a one time ‘let’s help get you through’ up to three months and or a security deposit to be able to assist residents in times of economic distress,” Grogan-Myers said. “It certainly is important to make sure that we are supporting all of our residents and not just homeowners. “This is an opportunity for the city to assist our residents on a one-time basis, to be able to support our residents who are renters and maybe just starting out in a tough situation, to be able to navigate though that tough situation and I hope a job opportunity will be on the other side.”