SNAP readies two new rental assistance programs, but warns funds are limited

A local nonprofit expects to launch two rental assistance programs next week, but it’s already warning that the demand will likely exceed the available funding.

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners, or SNAP, will open its online application portal for rental assistance on Wednesday at 8 a.m.

The nonprofit expects to administer the rental assistance programs simultaneously, but the exact parameters and requirements of each program vary slightly. The full details will be posted on its website at snapwa.org/rentalassistance.

Renters and their landlords should prepare for the possibility that funds will be depleted before they can be approved for assistance, said Nicole Bishop, a SNAP spokesperson.

“As much as possible, if there’s any ability for them to pay all or some of their rent, that’s helpful, just so they don’t get farther behind,” Bishop said. “Don’t expect that you’ll be able to get rental assistance, because due to the high demand there is no guarantee of that.”

Rental assistance funds were quickly depleted in 2020 and officials expect the same to happen this year.

In the meantime, people in need of assistance can begin to prepare by gathering documents such as identification and income statements that prove their ability to pay rent has been impacted during the pandemic, according to Bishop.

Although more funding for rental assistance programs could soon be on the way, obtaining assistance will be particularly challenging in the near future for city of Spokane residents, who are excluded from one of the two programs set to open next week.

“More funding should be coming, whether it’s administered by us or other agencies, we just don’t know what the details of that are,” Bishop said.

The requirements are different for the two programs listed on SNAP’s website. For both, however, a tenant must have an income no greater than 80% of the area median income

Both programs will cover up to 12 months of rent, but differ on whether that can include future months.

SNAP expects demand to exceed the funding supply largely based on what it’s heard from other service providers and the flood of calls and emails it’s already received from tenants and landlords in need of support.

SNAP raced to establish the programs before Gov. Jay Inslee’s eviction moratorium is scheduled to expire on March 31, aware of the looming deadline. On Thursday, Inslee announced the moratorium would be extended through June 30.

Inslee noted during a news conference Thursday that the state has already set aside $504 million in state and federal funds for rental assistance, and hundreds of millions of dollars more is on the way from Congress’ American Rescue Plan.

“It’s important to note these programs help tenants and landlords through these difficult economic times,” Inslee said.

Bishop said leading up to the launch of its new programs, SNAP has worked with service providers who interact with populations that have been disproportionately harmed by the pandemic, including people of color, to spread the word about assistance and facilitate successful applications.

Real-time translation services also will be available, Bishop said.

SNAP can be reached at (509) 456-SNAP.