Governor Signs Rent Relief Order

Governor Mark Gordon issued an Executive Order to allow the Wyoming Department of Family Services to begin its preparations to administer the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
This allows the State to prepare its distribution plan for this program while providing the opportunity to work with the Legislature on details before launching the program.
The federal government has provided the State with $200 million in funding to cover rent and utility costs for Wyomingites struggling financially due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wyoming 2-1-1 is reporting a 280% increase in calls for rental assistance in 2020. Similarly, a county relief agency reported providing financial assistance to 349 area families unable to cover rent in the final quarter of 2020, even though 77% of such households were at least partially employed.
At the same time, many Wyoming landlords are left with unpaid back rent, and in some cases, utility bills left unpaid by struggling tenants. This program covers that back rent for landlords and reimburses utility companies the unpaid bills, which can benefit all ratepayers.
The Department of Family Services intends to work alongside a coalition of state entities and community stakeholders to ensure that every eligible Wyomingite knows about and has access to the program.
 

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