Connecticut State Department of Housing

Eviction Prevention Fund 

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General Overview
The Eviction Prevention fund is a $12.5 million-dollar rental assistance program made possible through the Department of Housing’s UniteCT program ($11 million) and Rent Bank program ($1.5 million). Tenants who have a summary process eviction action pending against them may qualify for up to 15 months or $18,500 in a one-time rental assistance payment to cover their rental arrears. If the tenant received previous rental assistance through the UniteCT program, the tenant's maximum assistance will carry through to the Eviction Prevention Fund. Thus, between the two programs the tenant is only eligible for up to 15 months or $18,500. The Eviction Prevention Fund is a one-time assistance program. A tenant cannot receive assistance from EPF more than once.

The tenant’s attorney or mediator will refer the tenant to the Call Center (1-844-864-8328) who will schedule an appointment at the UniteCT Resource Center to help the tenant fill out the application, and if approved, the check will be mailed directly to the landlord. Tenants may self-refer to the Call Center for assistance with an application. Tenants may not complete an application on their own without the assistance of a Resource Center staff. Unlike the UniteCT program, landlords are not required to fill out an online application, but instead landlords are required to attend a mediation appointment with their tenant to confirm the tenant’s rental arrears. If the tenant does not have access to an attorney to create a mediation agreement, then their Case Worker will help them set up an appointment with Quinnipiac Mediation Services. 

To learn about the eviction process in Connecticut, click here.

Eligibility Criteria  
• The household must have an annual gross income of less than 80% of the Annual Median Income (AMI). Further income restrictions apply if the tenant previously maxed out on UniteCT rental assistance, see the Program Overview document below for more details.
• Applicant must have a pending eviction as evidenced by the filing of a Summons located on the Superior Court Case Look-up website at the time the application is created.
• The tenant must currently live under the same address that is stated on their Summons & Complaint.
• Tenant must provide evidence of nonpayment of rent.
• Eligible households that previously received $18,500 or 15 months of UniteCT assistance may qualify for up to $3,500 in rental assistance. 
*For additional eligibility criteria, see the Program Overview document below. 


The Application Process


Step 1: Tenant calls the Call Center to screen for eligibility and receive an appointment at the Resource Center. 

Step 2: If the tenant is signed up for an in-person appointment, then they will bring their ID and 4 weeks of consecutive income for each adult occupant to their appointment. If the tenant is signed up for a phone call appointment, they will email these documents to their assigned staff member at the Resource Center before their appointment time. 

Step 3: Tenant’s application is fully submitted by the Resource Center staff.

Step 4: Application is reviewed by a Case Auditor. 

Step 5: If the tenant is found to be eligible, then the tenant will receive a Pre-Qualification Letter from their Case Auditor. If the tenant is not eligible, the application will be closed. 

Step 6: Tenant’s landlord will receive a notification from the Eviction Prevention Fund describing the landlord's requirements – if a stipulated agreement is not already in place, the landlord must attend a mediation session with their tenant and submit a signed W9 to the tenant’s auditor. 

Step 7: 
If the landlord wishes to participate: 

If a stipulated agreement is not already in place, the tenant and landlord must attend a mediation session to describe how the tenant is going to pay back their arrears if approved by the program. If the landlord is willing to participate, the household may receive up to 12 months or $15,000 to support rental arrears. 

If the landlord does not want to participate: 

The landlord must make contact with the tenant’s Case Auditor to confirm they do not wish to participate. Since the current landlord will not receive any assistance from the Eviction Prevention Fund, then the tenant will receive an eligibility letter for the UniteCT Moving Assistance Program, which provides a one-time security deposit payment of up to 2 months, and eligible tenants may also receive rental assistance. The UniteCT Moving Assistance Program is only eligible for tenants whose landlords will not participate in the Eviction Prevention Fund, and this program is not open to the public. 

Program Documents

• Eviction Prevention Fund Program Overview
• Stipulation / Mediation Agreement Cover Letter for Attorneys 
• Eviction Prevention Fund Flyer

Yardi Login
• RentRelief | Login 

Tenant Resources
• Landlord Verification Form
• Zero Income Attestation 
• Rental Arrearage Verification Form 
Landlord Resources 

• Template of W9
• Rental Arrearage Verification Form 
• Rental Terms Agreement 
• Flyer for Landlords - Eviction Prevention Fund
• Program Participation Affirmation

 

Appeal Process
Click here to submit an appeal

 Select here to view information in a table format.

In addition to rental assistance provided by the Eviction Prevention Fund, the CT Department of Housing, also contracts with local social service providers in Fairfield County and the Greater New Haven area to assist tenants with connections to other community programs that the household may find to be beneficial.  The services are referred to as the Homeless Prevention Program.   The goal is to assist the household with creating sustainable solutions for you and your family.  Some of the areas of support that the local providers can assist, but are not limited to, applications for entitlements (i.e. cash and SNAP benefits), applications for utility assistance, childcare resources, connections to employment assistance, housing search assistance, referrals for medical care, etc.  The provider works with each household to create a plan that addresses your specific needs.   Interventions will include initial and ongoing needs assessments, a minimum of monthly meetings, assistance with housing search if needed, and coordination with community resources. 

If you live in one of the towns listed below and are interested in learning more about these services, please contact your local provider. 

EPF providers

Other Resources

Please consider working with other community stakeholders to help your household further the recovery from the pandemic:

• www.cthousingsearch.org
• www.affordablehousingonline.com
• www.gosection8.com