More than $1 million in wildfire disaster relief sits unclaimed in a state-funded program open to Sparks residents, and the money expires Dec. 31.

The Disaster Relief Assistance Program, known as DRAP, has helped just 74 households across Washoe County since Gov. Joe Lombardo allocated $2 million from the Nevada Attainable Housing Account to aid people affected by recent wildfires, KOLO reported. Thirteen more applications were under review as of late October.

Renters and homeowners in Sparks, Reno and unincorporated Washoe County may qualify if they lost income, had to evacuate, or faced other financial hardship because of the Bug, Fred Mountain or Hawk fires, according to the city of Reno's program page. Some Sparks households have already qualified because their workplaces were in fire-affected areas and they lost income, News 4 reported.

Katelynn Piepmeier, housing manager for the city of Reno, said the city has not denied any household based on the income limit so far. Households earning up to 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible. For a family of four, that cap is $175,250 a year, according to the city's program page.

What the program covers

DRAP can help with hotel or motel stays for up to 90 days, rental and security-deposit assistance, application-fee assistance, lot rent and food assistance for households that lost food during prolonged power outages. Food assistance is capped at $400 per person per month for up to one month.

All payments go directly to landlords, hotels or other vendors. Applicants do not receive cash.

How the application works

Piepmeier said people may assume government aid means a long, complicated application. She said proof can be minimal.

"It can be as easy as a receipt from the hotel/motel from when they were evacuated or a text message from NV Energy showing their power was out for food assistance," Piepmeier told KOLO.

Kemal Abuhan, who evacuated his home for two days, said the added costs put him in financial hardship. He said the program relieved that pressure.

How to apply

Residents can apply online at reno.gov/housing or pick up a paper application on the first floor of Reno City Hall, 1 E. First St., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-in hours to discuss an application with staff are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.

The phone number is 775-541-8926. Reno's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department administers DRAP for the region, including Sparks and unincorporated Washoe County. The program closes Dec. 31.