Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

State offering help to those in need of housing assistance

POLK COUNTY—The state of North Carolina is taking applications for emergency rental assistance through its HOPE Program. 

The HOPE Program has topped $342 million in rent and utility payments for North Carolina families during the pandemic. 

Polk County is one of the 88 counties across the state that qualifies for the program. 

The program has distributed money to families for rent and utilities to 96,944 households since beginning last fall. 

North Carolina’s HOPE Program ranks number 2 in the nation for the number of households served and number 6 in the nation for spending of federal emergency rental assistance program money. 

The HOPE Program supports housing stability during the pandemic by preventing evictions and utility service disconnections. 

“HOPE has kept nearly 97,000 North Carolina families safe in their homes with the lights on during this pandemic,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. “But many people are still struggling financially because of COVID-19, and I encourage those who need help to apply now.”

To apply for assistance, people can visit https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/hope-program.