The City of Fall River is providing $1.5 million in Federal CARES Act funding to help city residents struggling with paying rent due to circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city will be enlisting the help of Catholic Social Services in the intake of inquiries and the distribution of funds for local rental assistance cases. The rental assistance funds can help renters pay for up to six months of back rent as well as help those who are homeless find and pay for housing.
Local residents who have been unable to pay rent due to the pandemic have been protected from eviction through a federal moratorium which is slated to expire on July 31.
Catholic Social Services program coordinator Sheila Chasse says anyone facing difficulties paying rent should not delay in seeking assistance by calling 774-520-2555. All services are free. Calls will be returned within 24 to 48 hours.
Chasse says along with rental support, Catholic Social Services can also help people better handle difficult financial circumstances.
Also available for those facing eviction are the free services of South Coastal Counties Legal Services who will play a role in mediating disputes between renters and landlords.
Mayor Paul Coogan said he hopes the funding will help people recover from the pandemic and he did not rule out using additional federal COVID funds to extend the assistance once the initial funding runs out.
Comments are closed.