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The LaGrange City Council received a visit from John Murphy with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Tuesday night.

Murphey introduced the council to the fundamentals of the Georgia Rental Assistance Program and how it can benefit the community.

GRAP, Murphy explained, exists to provide relief to tenants and landlords who are behind in utilities and rent payments, primarily as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The State of Georgia received $552 million in its first round of relief funds from U.S. Treasury’s Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide relief to individuals, families and landlords whose finances were negatively impacted, Murphy said. Another $437 million is heading the state’s way this year. The second round of assistance is set to being on Sept. 21 and end Sept. 30, 2025.

The money is distributed directly to landlords or utility service providers, where applicable, and eligible applicants will receive up to 18 months of payment relief. Individuals must qualify for unemployment or have experienced financial hardship since March 13, 2020, and demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and have household income at or below 80% of the area median income.

City residents receive one bill from the City of LaGrange for electricity, sewer, water and sanitation. All items are eligible for assistance through GRAP. 

Those who want to pursue rental assistance with GRAP can visit https://georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov.