The United Way has partnered with the city of Augusta to provide relief using U.S. Treasury funds available to those who have fallen behind on rent or utilities as a direct result of the pandemic.
The organization is calling this its “Sigh Of Relief” program.
The program became active last week, and already 1,400 families have signed up for acceptance. The United Way is in the process of vetting those families.
Money from the original Trump-era COVID-19 response made available $6 million in funding for needy families in the local area.
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Families who quality must have more than four individuals living together with a total household income under $52,700 annually. The family must prove that one member is unemployed, faced reduced income or faced other financial hardship due to Covid-19.
Families who qualify may receive up to 12-months of rental arrears, and theycould qualify for some rental and utilities assistance moving forward.
After signing up, the family must allow a “habitability check” from the city to make sure that the domicile meets code requirements. According to Hawethorne Welcher, director of the Housing and Development, this is a step in making sure people are living in a habitable building. Otherwise, the city will aid them in finding appropriate quarters.
“We have to make sure the building is habitable and in code with working water, electricity, smoke detectors and the like,” Welcher told commissioners.
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The applicant also needs to provide the landlord’s information and contact information as rent payments are made directly to the landlord.
While the money and the needs are there, Brittany Burnett, CEO and president of the United Way asks that the public be patient as they are becoming inundated with requests.
“We are asking that people be patient and follow the process as we already have a long list of people applying,” Burnett says.” We have to have high fidelity in the process so that we can help the most people we can.”
The help through the United Way is on a first come first serve basis and will continue until the funds are completely spent.
If you know of someone who can benefit from this assistance, have them text “rent” to numbers 50503 or they can call 211 for immediate help. Otherwise go to uwcsra.org for more information.
Scott Hudson is the Editorial Page Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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