This week’s edition of the Office of Recovery Newsletter features an article that details the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance program, which provides rent, utility, and internet assistance to households that have experienced financial hardships during the COVID pandemic.
Also included is an article highlighting information and resources that can help Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) of local government navigate the US Treasury Reporting Portal to submit the first ARPA funding Project and Expenditure Report.
For the latest information about resources available to Kansans, see the “Updates to Services and Support” section of this newsletter. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Office of Recovery website at: COVID.ks.gov
Emergency Rental Assistance Still Available for Kansans
Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance funding remains available to support Kansans at risk of eviction. KERA provides rent, utility, and internet assistance to households that have experienced a financial hardship during the pandemic.
The KERA program has disbursed more than $125 million in rental, utility, and internet assistance to 17,633 eligible tenant households in Kansas. These funds have prevented 45,674 Kansans from experiencing evictions and utility disconnections and helped make 6,656 landlords whole.
The KERA program supports Kansas tenants and landlords experiencing financial hardship. Recent updates have made the program more inclusive, allowing the state to serve even more Kansans:
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Households that have experienced financial hardship at any time during the pandemic may now qualify for assistance.
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Eligible households may receive up to 18 months of assistance, an increase from the previous 15-month maximum.
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Eligible households may receive a lump sum of $900 in past-due or future internet assistance, an increase from the previous $750 limit.
Previous applicants who have not hit the 18-month maximum are eligible to recertify for additional months of assistance.
Tenants and landlords can apply jointly online via the KERA application portal. Tenants must answer pre-screening questions to determine their eligibility before accessing the application. KERA applicants must meet income guidelines and must provide:
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Proof of identification;
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A signed lease or equivalent documentation;
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Documentation or self-attestation of housing instability;
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Documentation or self-attestation of financial hardship; and
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Proof or self-attestation of household income.
Once an application has been submitted, households can track their application status and respond to communications by logging into their KERA dashboard. If applicants have additional questions, they can contact KERA customer service by emailing kera@kshousingcorp.org or calling 785-217-2001, Option 1 for English; or Option 2 for Spanish.
Navigating the US Treasury ARPA Reporting Portal for April 30 Deadline
As a reminder, all Non-Entitlement Units of government (NEUs) that accepted funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are required to submit the first Project and Expenditure Report to the US Treasury by the deadline of April 30, 2022.
The Office of Recovery has received several inquiries on how to navigate the Treasury Reporting Portal. We have listed below a few useful resources to trouble shoot any problems you may have with the portal.
Should you have any ARPA reporting questions such as the identity of the Authorized Representative or Point of Contact (POC), need signed awards documents (to include budget documentation) or have project and expenditure report questions, reach out to the Office of Recovery using the CONTACT US link on the Office of Recovery website.
For issues relating to reporting portal access, changing the Authorized Representative to access the portal or general reporting portal troubleshooting, e-mail the US Treasury directly at SLFRP@Treasury.gov.
If you update the Authorized Representative with Treasury, please also notify the Office of Recovery using the CONTACT US link to continue receiving resources and information from the Office of Recovery.
Office of Recovery Q&A Sessions
Join us on Wednesday, April 13, at 11 a.m. for an opportunity to ask the Office of Recovery questions about best practices, guidance from Treasury, upcoming deadlines, and other topics. These Q&A sessions are also an opportunity for local governments to share what they are doing and learn from one another.
Stay Informed on the SPARK Process
The four Advisory Panels (Connectivity, Economic Revitalization, Efficiency and Modernization and Health and Education) are continuing to meet to develop investment recommendations for the SPARK Executive Committee to consider. Panels are looking at investment ideas submitted by Kansas citizens to help shape programmatic level recommendations. The Executive Committee will then consider these panel recommendations before sending them to the State Finance Council, which has final authority on investment decisions.
Share your Story with the RO
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has allocated funding to each Non-Entitlement Unit (NEU) in Kansas that is meant to help cities recover from the impacts of COVID-19. These funds can be used to fit the unique needs of each city, and cities across Kansas are using their funds in creative and impactful ways. Do you already have a plan for your city’s funding? Let us know by using the Contact Us form in the top right-hand corner of the RO website and your city could be featured in a future RO newsletter.
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