By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Julia Westfahl with SCKEDD explained that there is a rental assistance program starting next month that Hutchinson residents can take advantage of.
"The State of Kansas did receive $185 million to be able to be passed down to individuals seeking rental assistance that will maybe be behind or are going to be behind in the future in rental payment with something due to COVID," Westfahl said. "They have to have either a job loss due to COVID, reduction of hours, maybe homeschooling their children and they had to reduce their hours. Maybe they went from a two income household to a single income household, because they had to take care of those children while they were remote learning."
It's not quite time to get signed up for that one yet.
"It will be a program that is launched on March 15," Westfahl said. "We are going to be a partner in the area that will be able to assist and help throughout those applications with the tenants and the landlords to be able to get individuals qualified."
The tenant and the landlord have to apply together.
"With the joint application, the landlord fills it out first," Westfahl said. "Basically, they are just filling out their information the rent roll of the properties that may be seeking assistance, as well as getting their banking account information. The payments are made directly to the landlord to ensure the payment is going for that back rent or that future rent that may be behind."
Everything is done online, so you can call SCKEDD at 620-259-6544, or once we get to the 15th, you'll be able to set an appointment at their office at 530 E. 30th Avenue.