(ATLANTA, Ga.) DeKalb County renters are able to apply for rent and utility assistance beginning next week. The rent relief fund is available again through the county’s revamped Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) application process.
The first round of assistance was approved in February with the TLAC’s $21 million of federal grant money. Applications were closed after 10 days due to a large response and overwhelming demand.
However, by mid-June, county officials realized that only 3% of applicants had received funds. This news sparked residents and county advocates to do more and provide more individuals with funds. Many pushed for this to happen at the DeKalb Board of Commissioners meeting last Tuesday.
Applications for the second round of rent relief will open Monday and applicants will be required to submit the following supporting documents:
- Lease agreement
- Wage verification
- Wage statement
- Landlord's name and contact information
- Legible utility bills (for utility assistance)
County officials say the delay in funds being received is due to a cybersecurity attack on the TLAC program in March. The attack is currently under investigation by the FBI.
"The DeKalb County Tenant-Landlord Assistance program became the victim of an international cyber crime," DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said during a news conference. "The good news is this was a setback, but it did not impede our efforts to continue to provide assistance and support to those who need it in DeKalb County."
Anyone who applied for help from the TLAC program prior to the cybersecurity attack will also be able to check their application status through the same website as those applying for the first time.