Pima County has efforts underway to assist tenants and landlords with rental and utility payments when the federal moratorium on residential evictions ends July 31.eviction notice
The moratorium was enacted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to widespread unemployment and financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the assistance with rent and utility bills, the County is also prepared to offer legal help to tenants involved in eviction proceedings.
Emergency Eviction Legal Services, or EELS, is a new program designed to assist renters who are in the process of being evicted or who may face an eviction. The program is still ramping up, but tenants can see if they qualify for legal aid by going to www.pima.gov/EvictionLegalServices or by calling (520) 724-3357.
Andrew Flagg, deputy director of Pima County’s Community & Workforce Development Department, said, “Most tenants facing eviction cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Pima County’s new program will connect these tenants with lawyers, at no cost to them, helping level the playing field in court.
“We will also provide any party to an eviction case with a resource navigator, who can help walk parties through the process and connect them with other available resources, which might include rental assistance or help finding other housing or a job.”
Pima County residents who want to apply for rental or utility assistance should go online to TucsonPimaEP.com.
Manira Cervantes, manager of Pima County’s Community Services Division, said households seeking assistance are subject to eligibility guidelines for the programs.
“I urge everyone who has applied to have their documents ready and communicate with their landlord about the pending application for assistance,” Cervantes said. “The key component in moving applications along requires both parties — landlord and tenant — to agree and provide required documentation.”
The CDC issued its initial order temporarily halting residential evictions due to nonpayment of rent on Sept. 4, 2020. That order was set to expire Dec. 31, 2020, but was subsequently extended through Jan. 31, 2021, March 31, June 30 and, finally, July 31.