City Of Norman Offers Rental Assistance For Residents Still Struggling Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic

Norman residence who qualify are getting some much-needed assistance with rent payments from the City.

Through the community block development grant, residents effected by COVID-19 can now qualify for three months rental assistance.

"You must be a renter, and for right now, we don’t have anyone who is receiving SSI or SSDI, because they typically have not seen a reduction in pay. So, the qualifications are, you must have been affected by COVID-19, had a reduction in at least 50% of your pay, and possibly employment benefits, so those are the individuals we are targeting," Michelle Evans, with the City of Norman, said.

With the previous grant, the City was able to help over 200 families with both rent and utilities. However, with this grant, it is strictly for rent, and the City already has 50 to 75 applications. Qualifications are based on the number of people in the household and income.

"We are looking at those 80% and below the median income, and there’s also a chart, for the link that we have on the City of Norman, there’s a very easy chart that people can go on to see if they qualify, and we have all the documentations that they’ll need," Evans said.

To see all the qualifications, the City of Norman encourages residence to check the website.

"Once you go onto the website, I encourage everyone to look at the criteria and look at the documentations, that would make the process much quicker, and it would make it easier for the person processing it. Also, we want to get this assistance to the ones who need it the most in an expedited manner," said Evans.

Payments are made directly to the landlord, and the funds are on a first come first serve basis so go to the website and get signed up as soon as possible.

If residents do not have access to a computer, access is available at all Pioneer Library System branches in Norman.

The website to learn more about program qualifications is www.NormanOK.gov or you may call 405-307-7213.