SWEETWATER COUNTY — Sweetwater County is just one of the many counties in Wyoming that currently fall under the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s recent eviction moratorium extension.

The CDC’s temporary order is in effect from Aug. 3 through Oct. 3, 2021 and applies to counties in substantial to high-level community transmission rates.

Sweetwater County is currently in a high level community transmission rate, which can be tracked using the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker. According to the tracker, Hot Springs County is the only county in Wyoming not in a substantial to high level community transmission rate.

To qualify for the protection from eviction, renters must provide a signed declaration to their landlord indicating they qualify for the eviction protections. The CDC has created a standardized declaration form that can be found here.

“Unpaid rent payments have devastating consequences on renters, who need to keep a roof over their head, and landlords, who could face financial trouble,” said Korin Schmidt, Wyoming Department of Family Services Director. “We urge renters and landlords to work together to access the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which has already made over $2 million in payments to landlords.”

The ERAP is currently available for eligible renters at risk of eviction due to the inability to make rent payments. The federally funded program launched on April 29 in Wyoming with $180 million available to eligible renters struggling to make rent, internet, and utility payments, as well as housing stability services.

As of August 5, ERAP has approved a total of 924 applications, or 30 percent of submitted applications, paying a total of $2.8 million in assistance. Of the rental payments, $2.2 million went to landlords, $485,000 to renters and $211,000 to utilities.

For in-person application assistance, renters can visit the Sweetwater Family Resource Center in Rock Springs.