Connecticut’s Department of Housing administers the UniteCT Program to help tenants in COVID related housing emergencies with a maximum of $15,000 in rent and $1500 in utility payment assistance. Renters’ income must not exceed 80% of HUD’s area median. To find out what 80% of median income is where you live, go to the interactive map.

Rent relief software has been created so tenants and landlords can submit their own sections of the application for evaluation. Applicants must receive email invitations to begin application. Paper applications are not accepted.

How to Qualify


How do you apply?
You can begin the application process by registering here. If you need assistance, contact a UniteCT Resource Center or call toll free 1-844-UniteCT (1-844-864-8328).

Who is eligible?
1. You must be a permanent resident of Connecticut.
2. You must be an eligible household as evidenced by:

  • Have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced significant COVID related financial hardship

  • Proof household income does not exceed 80% of area median

  • Is currently experiencing homelessness or unstable housing conditions

What is required to prove income eligibility?
UniteCT uses the IRS 1040 Adjusted Gross Income method to determine eligibility.
Tenants who live in a Qualified Census Tracts (QCT) do not have to provide income documentation.

Tenants not residing within a QCT may provide annual or monthly income documentation. These tenants are required to re-submit income documentation every three months during the time they are receiving assistance.

Applicants will be deemed ineligible if:

  • They apply for assistance while already receiving assistance from another state or federal housing program.

  • They can’t provide verification of occupancy of a particular property (i.e. lease agreement, utility bill).

  • Tenant is subleasing the property

  • Tenant fails to provide required documentation to prove eligibility requirements.


Applicants who are deemed ineligible will have an opportunity to provide detailed information and explanations that support their eligibility claims during an appeals process.

What documentation is required?
1. Tenant identification in the form on one of the following:

  • Valid driver’s license

  • State identification

  • Passport

  • Native American Tribal identification

  • Permanent resident card

  • Other photo identification


2. Application information
3. Landlord identification if landlord operates as a company

  • Business license

  • Articles of incorporation

  • Identification of legal representative


4. Landlord identification if landlord operates as an individual

  • Driver’s license

  • Passport

  • Military identification

  • Native American Tribal identification

  • State identification


5. Landlord W-9 and tax return
6. Landlord proof of ownership (mortgage documents, deed, property tax statement)
7. Income verification
8. Annual household for every member of household over eighteen (income tax returns, wage statements, unemployment compensation statements, bank statements)
9. Monthly household income for every member of household over eighteen (wage statements, bank statements)
10. Verification of no employment (self-certification of zero income)
11. Proof of COVID related financial hardship
12. Proof of risk of homelessness
13. Proof of current Connecticut residency and primary residency (utility bill, current lease, bank statement)
14. Rent statement for all months of past due rent (notices, ledger, signed letter from landlord)
15. Landlord statement of all months rent that is in arrears
16. Completely executed lease agreement
17. Utility statement if requesting assistancd with past due utility bills (need evidence of non-payment)

FAQ


Landlords
How do I receive the money?
Landlords can submit banking information for direct deposit or request a mailed check. A “penny test” will be conducted prior to any direct deposit.

How do you add multiple tenants on the application?
Go to the tenant section and click on the “Add tenant” button. You only need to add the tenants who are actually applying for assistance, not all the tenants in household.

What do you do if a tenant won’t complete their part of the application?
The tenant may believe you have to submit the application on their behalf. This is not true. The tenant is required to submit documentation before the application will be reviewed. Remind the tenant to check their email for an invitation link. If the tenant still won’t cooperate, contact Statewide Legal Services by going to their website on by phone: 1-800-453-3320.

Tenants
How much does the program pay?
UniteCT will help renters with a maximum of $15,000 to pay past due and future rent and up to $1500 for past due utility bills.

What is Yardi and is it safe?
Yardi is the software provider the program uses to host online applications. This makes it easier to applicants because they can find all the information in one place. You can fill out your application, submit it, and check its progress on your application portal. Yardi is highly secure and safe.

How can I tell if I am income eligible?
Go to the Connecticut Towns Map to find out what 80% of median income is where you live.

Where does the money go? Will I receive it?
All past due and future rents will be sent direct to the landlord in three month increments. Applicants must re-submit every three months in order to keep receiving assistance.

What if the landlord doesn’t want to participate?
In order to receive assistance, both tenant and landlord must complete their portion of the application.

Can you apply if you’re undocumented?
You must satisfy the eligibility criteria and provide the required documents in order to apply. Your documentation status is not part of the eligibility criteria. If you’re undocumented and don’t qualify for assistance through this program, contact the Connecticut Institute for Immigrants and Refugees at 1-203-5464 or go to their website.