Expecting 'Overwhelming Demand,' Maricopa County Allocates $30M To Help Renters Avoid Eviction

Published: Thursday, July 16, 2020 - 2:29pm
Updated: Monday, July 20, 2020 - 10:45am
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Maricopa County is launching a $30 million program to help renters impacted by the pandemic. The program is open to Maricopa County residents who don’t live in Phoenix or Mesa and who meet income eligibility requirements.

In the spring, Arizona set up a statewide rental assistance program that’s been plagued with administrative delays. The new Maricopa County program has six-times the funding and promises a more streamlined application process.

“Applications are going to be taken and served on a first-come, first-served basis. We’re committed to doing this as quickly as possible," said Bruce Liggett, with Maricopa County. 

The county program will pay $1,500 directly to tenants' landlords for up to three months. The county expects to be able to assist about 6,000 renters.

On Thursday, Gov. Doug Ducey extended the state’s moratorium on evictions through the end of October — it had been scheduled to end July 22. The governor also said the state will spend $5 million to help landlords and homeowners who rely on rent payments, in order for them to avoid having their properties foreclosed.

The Show spoke more with Liggett about how the county is going to be able to help these renters.

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