AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY AWARDED MORE THAN $6M FOR RENTAL ASSITANCE
Emergency federal grant intended to assist households at risk of eviction due to the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – (Feb. 9, 2021) Today the Augusta-Richmond County
Commission will approve $6,066,397 coming from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program of the U.S. Dept. of Treasury. The funding will be paid out to county residents at risk of eviction due to the economic hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This past year, many families have found themselves fighting pandemic related hardships on many fronts,” said Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. “As we work hard to return to normal, part of our mission is easing the burden on families as best we can. That is why I am grateful for this latest round of emergency rental assistance funding for Augusta residents.”
According to the Housing & Community Development, the funding will assist local rental households at 80% or below the Area Median Income, prioritizing households with unemployment due to the current public health emergency.
“This grant will actually fund a new program separate from the HUD-funded, rental assistance already coming out of Housing & Community Development,” explained Odie Donald II, Administrator, Augusta – Richmond County. “The ERA grant allows us to be much more flexible with awards and expand support for our residents.”
The deadline to administer the rental assistance funds is Dec. 31, so the Commission hopes to partner with a local nonprofit to administer them as quickly and efficiently as possible, according to Donald.
To apply for rental assistance, please call the Augusta-Richmond County Housing & Community Development Department at 706-821-1797. A new website for applying online is coming soon.