MAYOR PALMIERI ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO ASSIST RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS 

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri announced today that assistance is now available for both renters and homeowners in the City of Utica that have faced difficulty in paying their rent or mortgage due to financial hardships brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City’s rent relief program provides income-eligible persons and families with payment of up to three (3) months of rent, including back rent (all payments will be made directly to landlords).  To be eligible, a family’s total income cannot exceed 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) based on family size; for a typical 4-person family in Utica, the threshold is $57,350.

Assistance is also available for homeowners in Utica that have had difficulty making mortgage payments due to the pandemic.  Like the rent relief program, payments of up to three (3) months of mortgage payments, including arrears, can be made with this funding.  To be eligible for mortgage assistance, a family’s total income cannot exceed 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) based on family size; for a typical 4-person Utica family, the threshold is $86,050.

To assist in administering these programs, the City has contracted with The HomeOwnership Center (HOC).  In accordance with CDC guidelines, the preferred method of application submission is through HOC’s website – http://unhs.org/  In order to assist those who are unable to apply online, HOC will make staff available by calling 315-724-4197.  Applications will be reviewed on a first come-first served basis with applications available on Monday, July 27.

These funds were made available through the federal CARES Act.  The City, thus far, has been awarded $743,966 in Emergency Solutions Grant – CV funds and $1,510,166 in Community Development Block Grant – CV funds.  Of this amount, the City allocated $580,000 to rent relief and $375,000 to mortgage relief.

Mayor Palmieri stated, “There is no segment of our society that this pandemic has not impacted in some way.  Our neighborhoods and families are the backbone of this community and every effort must be made to assist tenants, landlords and homeowners that have been impacted as a result of the Coronavirus.  I commend our federal representatives for securing these funds for our community as it will provide needed relief to our residents.”