Nonprofit Helps Lift Burden By Helping Tulsans Pay Rent, Utilities

A Tulsa nonprofit said it does not plan to stop helping people who are struggling to pay their rent any time soon.

This comes as the Centers for Disease Control extends its moratorium on evictions.

"Not having the moratorium, it lifts the burden off,” Executive Director Jeff Jaynes at Restore Hope Ministries said.

Jaynes the burden was removed not just for tenants, but also landlords.

"The program doesn't allow us to pay for an empty apartment, so if someone was evicted, I can't help that tenant or the landlord,” Jaynes said.

Jaynes said their new program that was launched in mid-March helps people with utilities and rent. He said since then, they have received 3,500 applications, which adds up to $10 million in help requested so far this year.

"That's not even including anybody going forward, this program we are able to pay up to three months' rent,” Jaynes said.

Jaynes said the CDC's extension to halt evictions until June 30 not only allows them to continue to provide rental and utility assistance but removes the fear for those just days away from eviction on April 1.

Renters like Matty Cook believe the CDC’s last-minute decision was necessary.

Cook said during the pandemic, he had a hard time paying rent. However, he said he is more fortunate than others, as he was able to make his monthly payments.

"Very thankful for the act of extending as far as not evicting people who are effected by COVID,” Cook said.

Restore Hope Ministries expects to receive more state and federal funding to come through soon.

To find out how you can apply for their Emergency Rental Assistance Program, click here.