Who is eligible for assistance?

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Tailwinds Rental Assistance is available for low and moderate income individuals or families who own companion pets.  

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You're client is eligible if they are....

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1) an individual or family renting a property in Salt Lake County

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and 

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2) working with a caseworker with a local housing assistance organization

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and

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3) have documented low or moderate income 

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How do I request assistance?

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We are a referral-only program so we do not take requests for assistance directly from the general public.

 

Local organizations requesting assistance on behalf of an individual or family can access the online application here. 

 

What if an individual doesn't work with a caseworker but still needs help?

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Refer individuals to one of the agencies linked below to connect with a local organization that can help them gain access to this resource.

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https://www.slc.gov/housingstability/affordable-housing

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Veterans specific

https://www.slc.gov/housingstability/affordable-housing

 

How does it work? 

 

If you have a client who has a companion pet or pets and who is in the process of securing rental housing in Salt Lake County but is having difficulty meeting the pet-related move-in fees, we can help!

 

1)To request assistance, caseworkers need to complete the 

Tailwinds Assistance Request Form.  See an example form here . Please do not direct clients to fill out the form themselves.  You many start, save and resume the online application at any time. 

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2) Items needed for the application include: a copy of the lease showing a) authorized pet (s), b)an itemization of pet-related move-in fees, c) property address, and d) contact information for the landlord or property management company. See the Tailwinds Assistance Request Form for a full list of all items needed to complete the request. 

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If the landlord or Property Manager does not have their own pet lease addendum, you can use our universal addendum - Tailwinds Rental Assistance Pet Lease Addendum.

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Are fees for Emotional Support Animals eligible for assistance?

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ESA’s along with service animals, should not be assessed these types of fees per federal law.  Specifically, “In Utah, those with an emotional support animal are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This law states that landlords cannot deny access (or charge additional fees) to a renter with an emotional support animal, even if the property has a no-pet policy.”

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For more information:

https://usserviceanimals.org/blog/emotional-support-animal-laws

 

 

What types of expenses are covered?

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We specifically cover "move-in" related fees including pet deposits, pet fees or pet-lease initiation fees. We are not able to provide assistance for ongoing fees such as pet rent.  Both refundable and non-refundable fees are eligible.

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What's the difference between a pet fee, pet deposit or other types of pet-related charges? 
 

A pet fee is usually a one-time, non-refundable fee that is collected before the tenants move-in. 

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Pet rent is usually an ongoing monthly fee added to the rent. This can be per pet or per lb. or some combination of factors. 

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A pet deposit is usually a one-time, refundable or non-refundable fee similar to a traditional security deposit that would cover pet-related property damage.

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There can also be pet-screening fees, pet lease initiation fees, monthly pet inspection fees and even pet DNA testing fees often used by landlords to "motivate" renters to remember to pick-up after their pet.

 

Please note that there is no regulated use of the terms above and each property owner may have their own definitions of these fees. TRA covers one-time, move-in-related fees.  We are not able too not cover any type of ongoing fee.

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How are payments made?

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Payments will be made directly to the property manager or landlord after a copy of the lease is provided to TRA and the property manager agrees to accept our payment. The lease must include specific information about approved pets and pet-related fees.

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Are there restrictions on the type of pets or how many pets are eligible?

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We are proud to be pet-inclusive! As such, we provide assistance for any type of pet or quantity of pets that is (are) approved by the property management company or landlord and is (are) included in the lease.  

 

Do I have to live in Salt Lake City or Salt Lake County to receive assistance?

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We are happy to provide assistance to individuals or families renting a property in Salt Lake County.

 

Do I need to front the money for the deposit(s)?

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Recipients do not have to front their own money. TRA will pay for the fees directly to the landlord or property manager. 

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