On Oct. 12, the Board of County Commissioners approved additional program modifications to expedite Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) administration. The US Department of Treasury issued the new program modifications to align state and local governments and encourage rapid response to those income-qualified, Collier residents in need of rental assistance.

The improved enhancements to the ERA program include streamlining documentation requirements, credit recovery assistance for COVID-19 impacted tenants that have been evicted, including backpay of rent obligation unmet by evicted tenants to landlords, new eligibility for homestead residences with separate living quarters and improved processing to ease the burden on the courts and motel and hotel assistance for those evicted awaiting housing.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 18, from 9 a.m. until noon, Collier County Community and Human Services will be offering in-person assistance at the Immokalee Library, 417 N. First Street, Immokalee. Applications for assistance can also be submitted at CollierCountyHousing.com.

For more information, call Community and Human Services at (239) 252-CARE (2273). For media inquiries, call Public Information Coordinator Daniel Christenbury at (239) 252-6956.