Due to a time crunch, Houston will not accept new applicants for its direct assistance program, which will dole out $1,200 checks this month to thousands of residents struggling to get by during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, the city is directing the money, up to $28.5 million, toward people who have applied for other kinds of relief, such as Harris County and Catholic Charities’ direct assistance program, the city’s rent relief effort, utility assistance and other programs, according to Ben Melson, chief of staff to Houston Recovery Czar Marvin Odum.
“We have enough applications in that pool to distribute at least $20 (million) right now and possibly well beyond $25 (million),” Melson said. Recipients can use the money to pay rent, catch up on bills or spend on other daily needs and emergency expenditures.
On HoustonChronicle.com: ‘An absolute blessing’: Council approves relief fund to give struggling Houstonians $1,200 checks
The money has to go out by Dec. 31. The funding comes from the $405 million the city received in the CARES Act, a stimulus package approved by Congress that stipulated the funds must be spent by year’s end.
The city was considering building a portal to accept more applicants, but ultimately officials decided against it due to the time constraint.
People who applied to the other relief efforts do not need to apply again or take any action. The city and BakerRipley, a community nonprofit administering the program, are pulling applications and reaching out to residents who could receive the funds. Some residents said they started hearing from BakerRipley last week.
dylan.mcguinness@chron.com
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December 15, 2020 at 12:43AM
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Due to approaching deadline, Houston will not accept new applicants for $1,200 assistance program - Houston Chronicle
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