Serenity House has received new funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to prevent evictions throughout Clallam County, the organization announced last week.

Funds are part of the Treasury Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP), which was designed to replace the existing Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP) that is quickly drawing to a close.

The T-RAP program is accepting applications through September 2022.

Through T-RAP, Serenity House can pay for up to 12 months of rent and utilities arrears accumulated since March 1, 2020. T-RAP can also, in some cases, pay up to three months of future rent due.

To be eligible for the Serenity House T-RAP program, Clallam County renters must:

• have an annual household income at or below 80 percent of the current County Area Median Income, as listed on the agency website;

• have experienced negative financial impact because of COVID-19;

• be at risk of experiencing homelessness or currently experiencing housing instability because of COVID-19 (for example: currently late on rent and/or has rental arrears, past due utilities); and,

• not be a previous T-RAP recipient.

Households that are interested in receiving T-RAP assistance can visit any of Serenity House’s three Housing Resource Centers, located in Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks.

Households may also start their application over the phone by calling 360-452-7224 x1, or by sending an email to housinghelp@ serenityhouseclallam.org.

Young adults aged 18-24 can also access the ERAP program through the Serenity House Youth Services department by calling 360-809-0385.