Mayor Greg Nickels will release $25,000 in aid to renters being displaced by condominium conversions from a $350,000 fund the City Council had set aside to help eligible tenants.

Last month, Nickels froze the funds temporarily because it might be needed to supplement an unexpected loss of $600,000 in federal funding, according to Seattle City Council central staffers.

The council designated the money in the 2008 budget to supplement the $500 developers are required by state law to pay displaced tenants to aid in the search for housing. It was supposed to be available starting Jan. 1.

It's possible the full $350,000 could be restored as displaced renter aid, but the city is still reviewing how it will cope with the reduction in federal funding. But the $25,000 will be available this week, said Al Poole, of the Seattle Human Services Department, the city office handling the funds.

The city Department of Planning and Development reports that 42 rental units total have been scheduled for conversion from November 2007 through January this year. The amount of funding released is expected to meet the needs of those tenants, said Poole.

Tenants who received notice to vacate their homes due to conversion since November should call Solid Ground at 694-6700. The non-profit human services agency, located at 1501 N. 45th St., can answer questions and handle applications.

Renters could receive up to $2,800 in assistance. Only those earning 80 percent or below area median income should apply.

It's possible to still be eligible for aid if the renter received notice before last November, so it's a good idea to call and check, said Poole.

Poole said his department would get the word out through local media, the office's survival service email database and advocacy groups like the Seattle Displacement Coalition.

"We don't expect any problems getting the word out," said Poole.

For more in-depth coverage, check out the Feb. 27 issue of the Ballard News-Tribune in print and online at ballardnewstribune.com.