New Tulsa Program To Distribute $20M For Utility, Rent Relief

The City of Tulsa and Tulsa County are launching a new program to distribute $20 million in federal relief money to help people with utilities and rent.

Restore Hope Ministries said this is to help residents with past due rent and utilities, and future rent up to three months.

Restore Hope Executive Director Jeff Jaynes said they've already helped nearly 4,200 Tulsa County residents over the last year, totaling $4 million in aid.

"The fear that is in a tenant when they know they could be evicted, when they know they could be homeless. I can't even comprehend what that's like on top of all of the other fears that we've had, related to the virus, kids, school or other things," Jaynes said.

The organization is partnering with Tulsa County and the City of Tulsa on this program. This is for residents older than 18, with household income at or below 80 percent of the area's median income.

When you apply, you have to show you're at risk for homelessness or housing instability. You must show how you've been significantly impacted financially because of the pandemic or have qualified for unemployment benefits in the last year.

Tulsa leaders said they're relying on Restore Hope to distribute the funds fast.

"County and city residents will only have to use one online portal to make an application. That makes it much simpler for tenants and landlords, they only have to go to one website, fill out one application and they're going to receive the rental assistance they qualify for," Housing Coordinator Kristin Maun said.

Jaynes said this relief is for tenants, but it'll help landlords as a result.

"And so that's what we're trying to do, it's right there in our name, we're trying to Restore Hope, and so we really do hope this program will be efficient, be effective and it'll be equitable to help as many people as we can," Jaynes said.

You can apply for this program on Restore Hope Ministries’ website here.