$175 million in COVID-19 relief for rent, utility help available for NC, governor says
Two new federal grant programs starting in the next few weeks will provide millions of dollars to help North Carolinians with housing-related COVID-19 relief.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that the two new programs, along with another already open, would provide $175 million in help during the coronavirus pandemic. The three programs are designed to work together to help people avoid evictions because of COVID-19, the governor’s office said.
“COVID-19 has strained family finances across North Carolina, and many people are struggling to make ends meet,” Cooper said in a news release. “People need a safe, stable place to call home, especially during this pandemic, and we must help keep people in their homes and keep their utilities on while our economy recovers.”
The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency will distribute about $94 million — for rent and utility payments to avoid evictions — through community agencies. That money includes $28 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for COVID-19 and $66 million of CARES Act money.
Another federal grant program through the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will provide $53 million for families experiencing homelessness or an immediate risk of it. That will also be distributed through community agencies.
“Families in crisis don’t have time to spare, and our state agencies are coordinating a plan to make it easier for people to get the support they need,” Cooper said in a statement.
Applications are not yet open. The programs are set to launch in the next few weeks, according to Cooper’s office.
“During this crisis, it is more important than ever that government work smarter and faster to deliver relief to people facing eviction and utility disconnection,” NCORR Chief Operating Officer Laura Hogshead said in the announcement.
Other relief is meant to help residents of smaller communities pay rent and utilities. Local governments can apply with the N.C. Department of Commerce for $28 million in Community Development Block Grants for COVID-19 relief. It is available for towns and cities of fewer than 50,000 residents and counties with fewer than 20,000 residents. The money can also be used for internet access, food distribution, health care worker training and COVID-19 testing.
This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 1:30 PM with the headline "$175 million in COVID-19 relief for rent, utility help available for NC, governor says."
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