Worried renters have limited options for quick cash assistance

Evictions may be paused with North Carolina courts largely closed, and stimulus checks are coming, but fears run high.

Posted 7:05 p.m. Apr 10, 2020 — Updated 7:33 p.m. Apr 10, 2020

Travis Fain

, WRAL statehouse reporter

Rent was due on April 5, federal stimulus payments haven’t arrived yet, much of the economy has shut down and the state's unemployment system is backed up under the weight of half a million new claims.

Evictions have been delayed for the most part by a partial shut down of the state court system, which remains open mostly just for emergency situations. But that hasn’t stopped the fear of eviction, or the threats.

"I am a single mother of 4," one woman told WRAL News in an email this week, saying she's been out of work since March 16.

"Two days ago, I received a notice in my mail box from the landlord stating that I have 10 days to pay them in full or they will start eviction proceedings," she said. "I don't know for certain when the stimulus money will be available, but I am honestly afraid that it won't come in time."

Can't make the rent? Make sure to ask for help

Stimulus payments – $1,200 per person for the most part, $500 per child – are expected to flow next week, either by direct deposit or check. Those who haven't filed income taxes the last two years, and thus may not have an account or address on file with the Internal Revenue Service, are supposed to file online to get paid.

How much and when: Check your stimulus payment

The IRS opened that web portal Friday.

In the mean time, while there are some long-standing programs to get people living in hotels and to provide rent assistance, there aren't many.

"The reality is, no, there's not a lot of rental assistance resources right now," said Heather Black, the state director for NC 211.

"I know that there are other community funds in the making," Black said Friday. "I think they will come."

There are various, broad-based relief funds, including one for restaurant workers.

211 is a phone number people can call to connect with help. It's run by the United Way, and Black said the service has eight people vetting various charity programs. She said she knew of two programs to help people, with children and who meet income thresholds, with hotel bills.

There's one in Wake County and one in Mecklenburg. The one in Wake County is called Wake Prevent and can be reached at 919-856-5661, or by email at covid19.housing.hotelfamilies@wakegov.com.

The Wake County Housing Authority says its programs are full, including waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers and public housing.

"The Housing Authority of the County of Wake does not have emergency housing available," its website states.

Wake Network of Care lists contact information for a number of charities, most of which are limited to a particular geographic area, and some of which may help.

But not all of them are up and running.

Callers to Garner Area Ministries get this recorded message: "Due to the virus we will be closed indefinitely. That includes our food pantry, our thrift store and our financial office."

Black said landlords need to work with their tenants, and that banks need to work with landlords.

"Everybody's working with everybody, so there's no reason for landlords to put this undo pressure on tenants," she said.

Black also raised a difficult point.

"It's really hard to be poor in America," she said. "It just is."

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