COVID-19 has not been easy on anybody. For many West Virginians, the virus has not only affected their physical health, but their financial health as well.

Many Americans continue to struggle economically because of the COVID-19 crisis. Nationally, nearly a quarter of all renters and more than 11 million homeowners were behind on their payments last year.

A Congressional appropriations bill and the American Rescue Plan Act address some of these issues by establishing Emergency Rental Assistance and the Homeowner Assistance Fund.

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund is responsible for administering these programs in the Mountain State.

We launched the Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program in March to allocate rental assistance funds to qualifying renters who need help catching up on their housing and utility payments.

Applicants can also receive three months of future rent and a one-time $300 stipend to offset Internet costs. Future Lease Certification provides security deposits, first month’s rent, and three months of future rent to those displaced through eviction or who experience homelessness. To date, MRAP has distributed more than $45 million to satisfy more than 12,000 applications.

The need for this assistance is great. We receive an average of 100 new applications daily and each and every application is reviewed for eligibility and to determine the correct amount of assistance allowable.

Our processors work diligently to move these claims through the system as swiftly as possible.

If you are a renter facing difficulty paying rent and utilities, MRAP can help. Don’t wait for an eviction notice or a utility cutoff notice.

Apply now at www.wvrentalassistance.com on your computer, smartphone or tablet. If you do not have computer or internet access, call 1-866-623-6284. Paper applications also are available.

Although we have ramped up efforts to process and pay out applications faster, it may still take several weeks for claims to be paid.

If you qualify for MRAP help, don’t wait to apply. The sooner you complete your application, the sooner we can process and pay your claim.

Developing and implementing an emergency aid program while continuing our slate of existing projects has not been easy. However, we recognize that COVID-19 has created myriad issues in the housing and rental markets, and we are eager to do our part in providing relief to Mountaineers who need it most.

Erica Boggess is the executive director of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.