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PENOBSCOT NATION’S EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCMENT

May 20, 2022

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA1) of the Penobscot Nation will terminate on September 30, 2022.  As a result, the Penobscot Nation’s ERA1 program will be unable to assist with any payments for housing or utility assistance after that date.

Based on our current remaining budget, and the end of the ERA1 program in September, the Penobscot ERA program will no longer accept applications for new assistance or continued assistance past June 30, 2022.

We have been encouraging new and existing clients to apply for ERA2 assistance through their state or local programs through our Program Announcements and when we are approached for assistance.  In an effort to ensure that there is no lapse in services, we are again encouraging eligible applicants to apply to their state or local ERA2 programs as quickly as possible as that program is not scheduled to end until September 30, 2025. 

The ERA2 program eligibility requirements are very similar to those of the ERA1 program.  However, the ERA2 programs have the flexibility to provide applicants with up to 18 months of assistance, where the ERA1 program was only able to provide up to 12 months, and additional 3 months if the applicant continued to meet the eligibility requirements.

The state and local ERA2 programs may have a longer wait time to review and approve or decline an application given the number of applications they process.  We are recommending that people apply for the ERA2 program as soon as possible.  Most of our current recipients reside in the State of Maine, and we have attached a copy of Maine’s application.  Applications can, in many cases, also be completed online by visiting your respective state’s ERA website.

In addition to seeking information on the ERA2 programs, we are available to provide Tribal members with assistance in identifying other resources to obtain and/or retain affordable rental housing and utility assistance.   Individuals and families are also encouraged to reach out to the ERA staff to identify resources that may be available.  We can be reached at 207-817-7396 or by email at [email protected] and [email protected] Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

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