PHOENIX — ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ns who can't pay their rent will get more time before they face eviction.
Gov. Doug Ducey announced Thursday afternoon that he is extending his order blocking people affected by COVID-19 from being evicted from their homes. That protection, which had been set to expire, now goes through Oct. 31.
But renters will face an additional hurdle.
Right now they need to provide evidence to the property owner that they have specific reasons for not paying their rent. These range from a requirement to be quarantined to job loss or reduction of income.
Under the new plan, they will have to certify to the landlord by Aug. 22 that they have applied for rental assistance from one of the state, county, city or private organizations that provide it.
That keeps the landord at bay, even if they don't have the assistance by that time.
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Ducey's order also is designed to provide financial relief to at least some property owners. It sets aside $5 million in grants that they can use to forestall foreclosure by those who hold the mortgage.
Aides to the governor said this is being crafted to be available only to those with one or just a few properties and not for owners of apartment complexes.
The order also provides $650,000 to go to community agencies which process applications for housing assistance.
Ducey said there is about $80 million available. But he said that distribution has been hampered because these community agencies have not had the staff to process the applications.
Thoe additional dollars would be earmarked to make those hires.
The announcement comes as the extra $600 a week in unemployment benefits provided by the federal government is set to expire at the end of the month. Unless extended, that leaves ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ns out of work with only state benefits which are capped at $240 a week, the second lowest in the country.
Photos: In ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, face masks are for more than just people
Face masks on objects
A Jeep sports with eyes like those from the movie "Cars" sports a COVID19 mask outside Alpha Graphics near the corner of Tanque Verde and Kolb, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., July 3, 2020.
Face masks on objects
The large Tiki head at the entrance of The Hut, 305 N. 4th Ave., wears a mask in response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 5, 2020.
Face masks on objects
The noted bull testicles on the statue outside Casa Molina at Speedway and Wilmot, usually painted in various schemes and wild colors, are in these CONVID19 times now sporting a face mask, March 27, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Face masks on objects
A dinosaur statue over the doors of MATS Dojo at 5929 E. 22nd St., sports an athletic cup for a face mask in the second week of COVID-19 restrictions, March 31, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Face masks on objects
The venerable T-Rex outside the McDonald's at Grant and Tanque Verde comes around late, but strong, to the mask game, May 13, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Face masks on objects
The iconic Casa Molina bull and matador statue both sported masks on the first full week of the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in mid-May.
Face masks on objects
Father Kino's horse practice safe social interaction by wearing a mask even if Father Kino himself isn't. The statue sits at Cherry Fields at 15th Street and Kino Boulevard, Saturday, May 2, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
