Las Vegas City Wire

As state and federal funding to address the COVID-19 impact begins to phase out, the Clark County Cares Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) will be transitioning to best support residents within our community. Applications for the CHAP Emergency Rental Assistance Program will no longer be accepted as of January 23, and the eligibility requirements for ongoing rental assistance programs have changed.

CHAP was a Clark County response to the COVID-19 crisis to support those who were directly impacted by the pandemic to provide housing and utility assistance to low-income families, seniors and employed individuals struggling to pay their housing costs.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the County’s CHAP program has allocated more $375 million to provide rental assistance to more than 70,000 local households and utility assistance to 60,000 households. This monumental effort helped to keep residents housed during this difficult period and prevented large-scale homelessness across the county.

“The CHAP program was a critical resource and a lifeline for many who were facing substantial financial hardship during the pandemic,” said Clark County Commission Chairman Jim Gibson. “Those efforts will continue as CHAP now transitions to focus on helping the most vulnerable populations maintain and secure affordable housing while Clark County seeks permanent housing solutions through Welcome Home, our community housing fund. I would encourage residents to understand the changing eligibility requirements for rental assistance going forward and to take the appropriate action as needed.”

In order to address the current housing crisis and to better meet the needs of those in lower income households, the CHAP program will transition into new assistance programs that will help southern Nevada households facing eviction for non-payment. Additionally, through Clark County’s Welcome Home Community Housing Fund, Clark County has invested a historic $160 million to fund new construction and rehabilitation of existing homes to create permanent solutions for housing in the community.

Applications for the CHAP Emergency Rental Assistance Program will no longer be accepted as of January 23, 2023. CHAP applications that have been submitted by 11:50 p.m. PST on January 22, 2023 will be processed under the current eligibility criteria. 

New eligibility guidelines have been established for assistance programs that provide aid to those facing eviction due to non-payment of rent. Starting January 23, 2023, only households that fulfill certain qualifications will be considered for eligibility:

1. At least one member of a household is living on a fixed income (e.g., Social Security, VA benefits, or pensions).
2. Have experienced a rent increase within the 12-month period prior to the date of application.
3. Received an eviction notice for non-payment of rent.
4. Experienced a recent change in circumstances that has resulted in an inability to pay rent.

To apply for assistance, go to chap.clarkcountynv.gov.  

For information on an existing application, contact the CHAP Helpdesk at (702) 455-4071 or CHAPinfo@ClarkCountyNV.gov. 

Due to the high-volume inquiries, response times may be longer than usual. Please allow for long wait times.

Original source can be found here.