Randolph County Housing Authority’s Supportive Services Department is expanding their reach to assist West Virginia residents in completing Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program applications, which will help to prevent utility shut-offs and evictions in the region.
RCHA has partnered with the Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program (MRAP) to assist Barbour, Lewis, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur, and Webster counties. MRAP is designed to assist West Virginia residential renters with an annual income of no more than 80 percent of area median income (AMI) who are struggling to pay rent or utilities – because of financial hardship during or due to COVID-19. The application can be done online or on paper, and requires a variety of documents prior to submission.
On Monday, June 6, Barbour County residents will be able to seek assistance with their MRAP applications from the RCHA Supportive Services Team. Walk-ins are welcome to head to the Barbour County Community Garden Market at The Market Place, located at 107 S. Main St. in Philippi, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Can’t make it on Monday? The next walk-in location for MRAP assistance will be at the Belington Public Library, located at 88 Elliott Ave. in Belington, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 16.
These services are being offered in addition to regularly scheduled MRAP assistance hours held in Randolph County, at The Learning Center at 125 3rd St. in Elkins. The Elkins walk-in hours occur on Tuesday’s from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Wednesday’s from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For those who are interested in applying for the Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program, no appointment is required during these times. The following documentation will need to be provided, at a minimum, in order to complete and submit the application; a proof of residency, proof of identity, household lease, any utility bills that assistance is required for, birthdays and social security numbers for all household members, and proof of income received. For a more detailed list of acceptable documents, please visit hcbwv.org and click on the ‘homeless’ tab.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of any other services this department offers, visit the Randolph County Housing Authority’s website at www.rchawv.org or call at 304-636-6495, option 5. You may also watch our website and Facebook Page for more details about upcoming events.
Randolph County Housing Authority has been innovating housing and community solutions since its inception in 1979. The agency started life as a volunteer-led program offering home repair to low-income seniors in Elkins. The mission of the RCHA is to promote strong communities and healthy quality of life in the rural region we serve. RCHA currently employs 26 people in Section, Property Management, YouthBuild, and the Supportive Services Department. The Supportive Services Department oversees adult workforce training, homelessness support, financial opportunities center, bridges to opportunities, and digital literacy.