There is still money available to help Vermont tenants and landlords with back rent through the Rental Housing Stabilization Fund.

In this Vermont Public Radio episode, Vermont State Housing Authority’s Richard Williams and Vermont Legal Aid‘s Jean Murray talks about the Rental Housing Stabilization Fund, a $25 million program giving renters and landlords a way to apply for corona virus relief funds to cover unpaid rent, even if it was from before March.

Recent changes in the program allows for renters to use funds for assistance moving into more sustainable living situations- meaning you are currently paying more for rent than you should be based on your income- so that you can pay first and last month’s

“What relief is available to someone who is trying to make the rent payments, is not falling behind, but is still struggling and for example cannot otherwise get healthcare or .. fix their car? It is very scary to be a renter. Is there relief for people who is making rent but does not have back rent due?” asks a caller from Montpelier.

“ Is there relief for people who is making rent but does not have back rent due?”

Murray responds by reminding listeners that the relationship between tenant and landlords does not have to be adversarial. “Even though it is scary to be a renter, most landlords out there are serious about their roles as providers for housing.” She encourages listeners to talk with your landlord about your financial situation.One of the reasons for this rental relief fund is so that Vermont would not have to make the decision between housing and eating.

Talk to your landlord, make a plan. For folks who can’t make the full rent and make arrangements with their landlord to do partial payments, the landlords are eligible for funds from the Stabilization Program for the amount the tenant is not able to pay.

Watch this video to learn how to apply!