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Relief for Northeast Ohio renters' sewer bills is here, but will they take advantage of it?

Conor Morris

January 21, 2022 |

ideastream |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

The Sewer Affordability Program helps low-income sewer customers is expanding and allowing renters to apply, offering a 40% discount for those who are eligible. The change will make an additional 20,000 customers eligible for the program, for a total of 40,000 newly eligible customers.

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Local governments urged to use mediation, other aid to stop evictions

Lizzie Kane

July 28, 2021 |

Atlanta Journal-Constitution |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Fulton County, Georgia

An impending eviction moratorium is prompting the local governments to push much assistance to renters as possible through mediation and rental assistance. In Georgia, rental assistance has been relied on heavily to help those in need while places like Philadelphia are preventing evictions through successful mediations between renters and landlords.

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As the end of the eviction moratorium looms, Mecklenburg County residents have a lifeline for help paying rent

Lana Harris

July 27, 2021 |

WCNC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

Residents who have fallen behind on bills due to the pandemic can now receive emergency funds to cover rent, mortgage, and utility assistance. The city of Charlotte has provided $33.7 million of aid for 11,000 families.

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From Vail to Jackson Hole, Down Payment Assistance Tries to Keep More Workers Housed

Will Walkey

June 30, 2021 |

Jackson Hole Community Radio (KHOL) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

A pilot program in Jackson Hole is trying to make home ownership affordable for the local workforce. The program provides help with the down payment by granting $150,000 to families that meet the requirements. The initiative puts a cap on the appreciation value of the homes bought using the grant which ensures that the property values stay affordable over time. A similar program in Vail, Colorado has produced impressive results.

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Helpline Fills Gaps in Local Housing Assistance

Kathleen Shannon

June 29, 2021 |

KDNK Community Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado

Bridging Resources is a helpline launched by a group of nonprofits that connects residents to existing services. Bilingual operators field calls and connect callers to agencies that can provide food, rental assistance, childcare, and legal advice among other services. The operators actually call the agencies with residents on the line to ensure the connection is made. Seventy-eight callers received assistance in the helpline’s first ten weeks, split almost evenly between English and Spanish speakers, which reinforced the importance of providing bilingual assistance.

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How Expanding Vouchers Could Improve Housing Stability

Jared Brey

April 20, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Housing vouchers have proven to be the most effective intervention to address housing instability in America. The vouchers provide a subsidy that covers the difference between rent and what families can afford to pay. Labeling it as one of the most effective federal housing policies, advocates are pushing for policies that expand the voucher rental assistance.

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Flood City: Louisiana prepares to move neighborhood after 50 years of floods

Andrew Yawn

February 19, 2021 |

USA Today |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Roads, Louisiana

Pecan Acres in Louisiana is known as Flood City since many residents can’t remember a time when their homes weren’t impacted by rising waters. To help these people, the state has started a relocation project to move the neighborhood to higher ground. The new neighborhood, called Audubon Estates, already has 17 households signed up to move in. The government is buying the residents out of their old homes, which has proved a more difficult process than originally thought. Yet, some are ready for the change.

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The inside story of how Pennsylvania failed to deliver millions in coronavirus rent relief

Charlotte Keith

February 15, 2021 |

Spotlight PA |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

When Pennsylvania's coronavirus rent relief program rolled out during the first few months of the pandemic, it failed to help many due to strict deadlines, poor information management, a payment cap, and overall procedural limitations. Now, the state is "getting a second chance," and has made modifications to the program in an attempt to avoid the failures of the last round.

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How a Water Bill Can Help Cities Help Their Most Vulnerable Residents

Cinnamon Janzer

January 28, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

A pilot program may be able to alleviate the utility debts incurred by struggling customers who were affected by the pandemic-induced economic slowdown. A pre-pandemic program used missed utility payments as an opportunity to provide people with “financial empowerment services like individualized repayment plans and financial counseling.” The program not only cut down on municipal costs but also benefited residents in all five cities. Participants were less likely to experience water shutoffs and paid significantly fewer late fees.

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Facing eviction, residents struggle to find help

Dan Polletta

January 26, 2021 |

The Land |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Slavic Village, Ohio

The Slavic Village Development, a non-profit community development agency, is helping to connect residents who are facing eviction during the coronavirus pandemic with financial assistance. The organization provides funds to those who don't qualify for CARES act funds and works to eliminate other barriers for low-income residents – such as paperwork requirements and housing inspection.

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