PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, OCTOBER 29, 2021 Rent assistance now available in Marion Co. Bethell also said that landlords can apply for the program on behalf of their tenants. “It doesn't just have to be the tenant, but you have to get both on board in order to be successful,” Bethell said. and rented manufactured home lots. Additionally, one or more members of the household must demonstrate how the COVID-19 pandemic has directly or indirectly impacted their ability to pay rent or utilities. This may include Marion County Area MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME if one or more members of the house- hold has qualifi ed for unemployment, experienced a reduction in household income, incurred signifi cant costs, or otherwise experienced fi nancial hard- ship due to the pandemic. "Household members" includes every- one living in the unit at the time of application, includ- ing family members and 1 person 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people 7 people 8 people $39,000 $45,250 $50,000 $56,550 $61,100 $65,600 $70,150 $74,650 See RENTAL, page A10 Source: Marion County The U.S Treasury requires 30% of the allocated funds to be used by Nov. 15, which is why Bethell is encouraging people to apply for the program as soon as possible. “It's not going to be here forever so people should secure the opportunity while they can,” Bethell said. To be eligible for the program, households must have their primary residence in Oregon and be behind on their payments. Eligible proper- ties include apartments, single-family homes, rented manufactured homes iStock photo COURSER, Continued from page A1 Amy Ryan Courser (left) at her final city council meeting as councilor in January 2019. FILE PHOTO, Keizertimes sudoku hopes to address are strengthening law enforcement, bringing school resource offi cers back into schools and reducing public spending. On Twitter, Courser has previously said that she opposes vaccine man- dates and that the “crisis at our border has a huge role in rising COVID cases in the US. Biden’s releasing thousands of migrants in the US now testing positive.” She has also questioned the legit- imacy of the 2020 election on Twitter, posting a photo about the possibility of the election having been hacked and her belief in the “deep state.” brainfood sudoku answers pg A21 BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes For those who have fallen behind on rent due to the impacts of the COVID- 19 pandemic, the Marion County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is here to provide aid for struggling families. The program, which came to fruition in August, helps eligible low-income households who are a month or more behind in rent payments. The program covers up to 12 months of past due rent and may pay up to three months of for- ward rent at a time, not to exceed a total of 18 months of assistance — past rent dues must be paid before future rent coverage is eligible. The County was able to secure just over $20 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury for emer- gency rental assistance. According to County Commissioner Danielle Bethell, rental assistance has been one of the biggest priorities in Marion County during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is one of the top fi ve needs in our county,” Bethell said. The program also covers utility costs, including electricity, gas, home energy services, water, sewer, trash removal and bulk fuels. “People don't realize that these funds also cover utilities. I really want people to know that,” Bethell said. Enter digits 1-9 into blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, & every 3x3 square. maze by Jonathan Graf of Keizer