BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Many families are struggling to pay rent amid this pandemic, and New York state's deadline for its rent relief program ends Thursday.
But a mobile platform is launching its own rent relief program to lend those families a helping hand.
"The whole reason was, I mean statistically you're looking at what's happening in the market, 32 percent of Americans last month couldn't pay their rent or mortgage," said Ofo Ezeugwu, founder and CEO of Whose Your Landlord.
Whose Your Landlord is a mobile platform intended to inform and educate the rental community by providing landlord reviews and other resources.
It's teaming up with Walmart and others for a rent relief program.
Both the pandemic and the ripple effect its had don't seem to be going away anytime soon, and being involved in the community, Ezeugwu felt the need to help.
"For Walmart they're providing $25,000 in grant funding to black families that are in need. We wanted to focus in on the people that were most affected by this," he said.
The money is going to 50 Black households, with each family getting $500 to cover rent.
Other partners include MakeSpace - a storage unit company that's offering $75 off your first month, and the U.S. Army is offering employment opportunities.
Families in need can apply for rent relief here. You will know if you are a recipient by mid to late August.
The grant would cover September's rent. Ezeugwu said he welcomes any company wishing to partner with them so they could help people beyond just September.
