A new, easy way to track applications is coming to the thousands of renters who applied for the House Wake! COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program.
Launching in mid-September, the House Wake! administrator, Telamon Corporation, will offer an online web portal to see where applications stand in the process. All current and future applicants of House Wake! will receive instructions on how to access the system once it’s available.
“We’ve received thousands of applications for this program, which clearly demonstrate the need in our community for help preventing eviction,” said Wake County Board of Commissioner Vice Chair Vickie Adamson . “This will give peace of mind to those applying for House Wake! that their application is moving through the necessary steps, while allowing staff to focus on processing the paperwork as quickly as possible.”
Using the new web portal, both renters and landlords will be able to upload necessary documentation and track where their application is in processing.
Currently, 43% of applications are awaiting documentation from either renters or landlords and cannot move forward until that information is received.
House Wake! Applications Increasing
The House Wake! program has seen a large increase in applications in the past three months. Between May and June, applications increased by 60%, and July saw an increase of 11%. Telamon has been inundated with calls asking about the status of applications and how to apply. With the new moratorium set to end on Oct. 3, staff expect another substantial increase in applications in the coming weeks.
“We understand the frustration of not being able to see where your application is in the queue,” said Lorena McDowell, Wake County Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Department Director. “Telamon staff are working as quickly as possible to get payments out to those in need. This new web portal will not only cut down on calls for status updates, but it will also allow applicants to track their application while easily submitting the necessary documentation that may be slowing down the process.”
In the meantime, applicants of House Wake! can help get their application processed more quickly by ensuring that all documentation needed is submitted and by answering Telamon staff when they reach out with questions.
About House Wake! COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program
House Wake! is a strategic plan to minimize the effects of COVID-19 on homeless and precariously housed Wake County residents, while maximizing opportunities for positive long-term outcomes.
This plan uses and coordinates federal, state and local funding to address the COVID-19 crisis within our homeless and precariously housed populations and aims to move the maximum number of people possible to housing stability.
Together, the City of Raleigh and Wake County have a combined $90 million supporting this program. House Wake! funds expire on Sept. 30, 2025, and the program is expected to continue until that date or until funding has been expended. As of Aug. 2, more than $16.3 million has been expended and/or obligated to residents approved for this program.
