At this time, CERA grant funds are only available to Mille Lacs Band Member Head of Households. If you are not a Mille Lacs Band Member please visit renthelpmn.org, or the Tribe in which you are enrolled.

This is for rental expenses. Mortgage payments and home owner utility payments are NOT eligible.

Link to Apply:

https://mlbo-laserfiche.millelacsband.com/Forms/CERAHUD

Link to flyer:

https://aanji.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CERA-HUD-Detailed-Flyer-Final-12.13.21.pdfhttps://aanji.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CERA-Detailed-Flyer-Final-3-4-21.pdf

How to Apply?

Please fully read this document. If you have further questions, please call (320) 292-1942 and your call will be answered within 48 hours. Miigwech.

What is CERA?

The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Program) provides direct assistance for renter Households that have experienced or are at risk of financial hardship due to the COVID19 pandemic. The assistance is meant to help prevent homelessness and maintain housing stability. The Program is funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program.

Who is Eligible?

Due to limited remaining funds, at this time, CERA grant funds are only available to Mille Lacs Band Member Head of Households.

 1.       Are you a Mille Lacs Band Member?

2.       Do you owe or are you behind in your rent or rental utility payments from 3/13/2020?

3.       Are your outstanding related expense(s) due to unemployment, illness, or another issue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?

4.       An “eligible household” is defined as a Tribal Member, Descendant, or any Federal-recognized tribal renter household in which at least one or more individuals meet the following criteria:
• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
• Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the federal median income. Household income is determined as either the household’s total income for th calendar year, or the household’s two months of proof of income at the time of application. For household incomes determined using the latter method, income eligibility must be re-determined every three (3) months.

What Expenses Qualify?

• Rent payments
• Rental arrears from 3/13/2020
• Utilities related to rental property
• Utility costs arrears related to rental property
• FUNDS WILL BE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE VENDOR OR COMPANY
• MAXIMUM ELIGIBILTY PERIOD IS 12 MONTHS

Applicants Must Provide:

 ·   Personal identification number from a state-issued ID, driver’s license, passport, ITIN, Tribal ID or other form of ID

·   Current rental lease – includes address of rental unit, or have a completed landlord verification form.

·   Name, address, SSN number, tax ID number, or DUNS for landlord or rental agency.
Total amount of each type of assistance (rent, rental arrears, utilities, home energy costs, utility arrears) needed.

·   Number of months of rental payments and number of months of utility cost with documentation of amounts owed.

·   Gross household income of all adults and number of individuals in the household for the past 2 months, or a tax return for 2020.

·   Gender, race, and ethnicity for the primary applicant requesting assistance.

·   Additional information may be requested.

Questions?

Contact Tammy Moreland at 320-292-1942 or tammy.moreland@millelacsband.com . Due to call volume, there may be times where we are not able to immediately answer or return calls. Our goal is to get back to everyone within 48 hours.