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ABC 6: New round of rental assistance available for those in need in Central Ohio
Thursday, October 20th 2022
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Urban League has helped some 1,700 families in the past year with emergency rental assistance, and now with winter quickly approaching, more help is on the way.
Marie Agee is one of the applicants who received help this past year. “The lord he blessed me, he did bless me with this house,” Agee said.
But just a few months ago, she almost lost her home.
“How did I get into a situation where I owe them $15,000 for rent,” she said.
Agee said she got caught up in the problems plaguing the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority over the non-payment of rent. She said for two years CMHA’s portion of her rent went unpaid.
“I was just lost, I was scared,” Agee said. “I went through a lot.”
But with the help of the Columbus Urban League, she said her prayers were answered.
The Emergency Rental Assistance program helped her with her payments, and now, there’s another round of ERA funds available.
“Anyone that’s really having a need, if they are experiencing arrears in their rent or utilities they can go online and place an application,” Associate Vice President of Financial Compliance Performance and Strategy Associate Vice President Jeaneen Hooks said.
It’s $3 million in federal money from the City of Columbus and Franklin County. The Columbus Urban League is using it to help keep people from going homeless.
“I want people to understand that we are doing our very best to keep people housed and safe and in warm conditions, as they say winter is coming so we want to make sure landlords know the Columbus Urban League is here for them as well,” Hooks said.
Agee said she’s blessed being able to get the rental assistance. She said she was not sure where she’d be.
“The stress is gone,’ Agee said. “All of that worry is gone too.”
If you would like to apply for assistance you can fill out an application here.
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