SUBLETTE COUNTY – Those struggling to pay rent and utilities in Sublette County are eligible for assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

The program launched in April with $180 million available for rent, internet, utility payments and housing stability services. The Wyoming Department of Family Services is administering the program and has dedicated $1 million of the federal funds to community-based organizations to provide local in-person application assistance.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an estimated 23,515 Wyoming renters may be eligible for this financial assistance by spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent.

Criteria includes being a renter in Wyoming or having unpaid rent on a pervious Wyoming residence, having household income of less than 80 percent of the area’s median income (which means $52,300 for a one-person household, $59,750 for two-person, $67,200 for three-person and $74,650 for four-person in Sublette County), being at risk of losing housing and qualifying for unemployment benefits or being able to show financial loss because of the COVID pandemic.

Those in Sublette County seeking assistance can do so by visiting the SAFV Task Force at 253 N. Sublette Ave. in Pinedale by walking in from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday or by calling 307-367-6305 to schedule an appointment.