Connecticut State Department of Housing


UniteCT Workforce Rental Assistance Program

 

UniteCT Workforce Rental Assistance Program provides up to 3 months of rental assistance for qualifying participants registered in a workforce training program in Connecticut.

Programmatic overview:

• Tenants must be registered in their training program to receive up to 3 months of rental assistance.

• The training program must be hosted by one of the following organizations: Connecticut State Agency, CareerConnect, or a Connecticut Workforce Board.

• Rental assistance is provided 3 months at a time, with the opportunity to recertify, if eligible.

• Click here to download a flyer about the Workforce Rental Assistance Program. 
  English flyer
  Spanish flyer

Tenant eligibility requirements:

• The participant must be registered for the training program at the time they apply for the Workforce Rental Assistance Program.

• The participant’s household income must be 80% or below their Area Median Income (AMI).

• Participants must have a landlord willing to participate to receive UniteCT funds.

• Participant must be a tenant. Homeowners are not eligible. Subletters are not eligible.

• Tenants must be listed on the lease of the apartment.

• Tenant assistance is conditional upon previous UniteCT support, and tenants will be deemed ineligible if they have received either $15,000 or 12 months of UniteCT rental assistance through past UniteCT programs.

The application process:

Step 1: Applicant must submit their information to the “Tenant Screening Tool” (see below). If the applicant has not received either $15,000 or 12 months of UniteCT rental assistance in the past, they will receive an email with further directions on how to apply.

Step 2: Landlord submits required documents that include: government issued photo ID, all pages of the lease, signed W9, and program participation agreement,

Step 3: Tenant submits their documents through the link emailed to them by a UniteCT staff member. After tenant submits their required documents, they are contacted via phone call to confirm the information for the rest of their application.

Step 4: If the applicant is eligible, the landlord will receive an email from a UniteCT staff member who will direct them on how to submit their required documents.

Step 5: Tenant confirms with landlord that they have submitted their required documents.

Step 6: Case is reviewed, both parties are notified about the approved case, and landlord receives the check to the address listed on their W9.
                                       Tenant Screening Tool                   
If you have any questions about the UniteCT Workforce Training Program, please call 1-844-864-8328. 

If the tenant is currently searching for a training program, below are some options for the tenant to start their search process:

•  CT Department of Labor: This comprehensive site offers a range of job seeker services, training programs, and other resources. 
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/dol/divisions/american-job-centers?language=en_US
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/dol/Job-Seekers?language=en_US
•  CareerConneCT: A central portal for accessing various job training programs in Connecticut, providing opportunities for reskilling, upskilling, and connecting with training programs. 
Website: https://portal.ct.gov/careerconnect
•  Connecticut Education & Training ConneCTion: This platform allows for searching a database to find suitable schools and job training programs, including online options. 
Website: https://www1.ctdol.state.ct.us/etc/
•  Regional Workforce Development Boards: These boards offer workforce development, job training, and employment opportunities across different regions of Connecticut. 
Website: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/rwdb/dir-rwdb.htm
•  The WorkPlace is a dynamic organization in Connecticut offering a variety of workforce development programs. These programs cater to different demographics, including veterans, youth, and the unemployed, focusing on skill development, career counseling, and job placement services. 
Website: https://www.workplace.org/programs

 

Click here to appeal my decision for the UniteCT Workforce Assistance Program

 

 

  • Who is eligible?

    • Applicants must be a tenant in Connecticut. 

      • Homeowners are not eligible to receive this rental assistance.

    • Households must earn 80% of their town’s Area Median Income (AMI) or less to quality

    • A tenant must be listed on their lease, and their landlord must be willing to participate and accept the assistance on behalf of the tenant. 
  • How much assistance is available?

    • The maximum assistance available through the UniteCT Workforce Rental Assistance Program varies depending on how long the applicant’s training is, which can be up to $15,000 or 12 months of rental assistance.

  • How does a tenant fill out an application?
    • Landlords will be contacted once the tenant has been deemed eligible through the initial screening. Department of Housing staff will reach out to the email provided by the tenant in their eligibility screening. The landlord will need to provide a Program Participation Agreement, Signed W9, ID/Business License and a copy of the lease with all pages.

    • Applicant must fill out the Tenant Screening Tool in order to first be screened for eligibility. If the tenant is eligible, they will be emailed a link to complete the rest of their application.

  • What documents are required?

    • Applicants are required to submit an ID, 4 weeks of income for each adult occupant, lease, and Landlord Verification Form. 

      • If a tenant lives in a Qualified Census Tract (QCT), then they do not have to submit income documentation.

      • The landlord will need to provide a Program Participation Agreement, Signed W9, ID/Business License and a copy of the lease with all pages.

    • Tenants are required to submit an ID, confirmation of their training program, and a Landlord Verification Form (template above).
    • Landlords are required to submit an ID or business license, lease, signed W9, and signed participation agreement (template above).
       
  • How long are applications open?
    • Applications have been opened since June 2023. There is no current end date of the program.