Programs to assist tenants who owe back rent and utilities because of a financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic are off to a slow start, with several counties reporting theyâve distributed only a fraction of the money allotted. Lackawanna County began accepting applications for $6.2 million in federal funding it received to aid renters on March 4. As of Thursday, it had received about 300 applications and distributed $600,000, according to Eileen Wilson, housing resources coordinator for the countyâs Department of Human Services. Luzerne County received 783 applications and paid out $1.4 million of the $9.4 million it was allocated, said Dave Ritter, director of housing for the Commission on Economic Opportunity, which is administering the program for Luzerne and Wyoming counties. Wyoming County received 24 applications and paid out about $24,000.