With financial insecurity continuing to mount amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Town of Chapel Hill is working to help members of the community who are struggling to pay their rent.

Mayor Pam Hemminger recently spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck about what the town is doing to be proactive to aid these residents during this crisis.

Earlier in May, the Town Council allocated $135,000 to help residents in need of rent relief. This move came not long after Chapel Hill made updates to its Rental and Utility Assistance Program, which provides help to residents seeking affordable rental housing and works to help prevent evictions for low-income households.

In partnership with local non-profit agencies, the towns of Carrboro and Hillsborough and a pair of Orange County housing organizations, Chapel Hill is allowing people to apply for a one-time payment for anywhere up to $2,000 to help with urgent housing needs.

“When the eviction stay gets lifted at some point, we want to be able to help people,” Hemminger said. “We’re helping transition our shelter folks into hotels. We’re trying to do our best to take care of people in many different ways. Between food, utility and rent assistance programs and some counseling services, we’re reaching out, we’re getting lots of support and we’re trying to take care of as many people.”

Applicants have to come from low-income situations in order to be accepted for a payment from the town, while also providing proof that their need is urgent and that they do not have enough savings to cover their current housing costs.

In addition to this measure, the town is also working on a similar program to help low to moderate income homeowners avoid foreclosures.

Because the current crisis is fluid and continually evolving, Hemminger stressed the importance of having a plan for the future and being able to adapt with the changing times.

“As this goes on longer, there are going to be more people faced with situations they’ve never been faced with before,” Hemminger said. “Not everybody gets to recover at the same level or the same pace. So, we want to be really, really prepared to give the most help to help the most people in the community.”

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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