Funds available to help with rent, utilities
State Rep. Michael Sheehy (D-Oregon) recently announced the State Controlling Board approved $100 million in federal funds for the state’s Rent Assistance Program to aid Ohioans impacted by the pandemic with financial assistance to pay rent, rent arrears, utilities and home energy costs, and utility and home energy costs arrears.
“It has been nearly a year since this pandemic disrupted our lives, and our neighbors are still struggling to keep up with their utilities and rent. These funds for the Rent Assistance Program are desperately needed to assist Ohioans in keeping their lights on and their heat going,” said Sheehy.
The Development Services Agency will award funds to local Community Action Agencies (CAA) according to low-to moderate-income populations and unemployment rates within each county. Ohioans at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) are eligible for assistance. In Lucas County, the CAA is Pathway, Inc.
Additionally, the Controlling Board approved the transfer of $20.9 million in CARES Act funding to the Department of Health’s 2021 budget to support data analysis, public information about COVID-19 and vaccines, and related critical outreach to Ohio citizens, and other response costs paid by the department. Another $8 million will go to purchase additional PPE equipment to aid the state’s ongoing coronavirus response efforts.