Cobb allocates $22.8M in emergency rent, utility relief funding

Cobb County commissioners last week approved setting aside $22.8 million in emergency rental assistance grants, which was approved by Congress and signed into law in December. The grants can be used to pay rent, utilities and other expenses related to housing, the county said. Credit: Pixabay

Credit: Pixabay

Credit: Pixabay

Cobb County commissioners last week approved setting aside $22.8 million in emergency rental assistance grants, which was approved by Congress and signed into law in December. The grants can be used to pay rent, utilities and other expenses related to housing, the county said. Credit: Pixabay

Residents who are still struggling due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic will have another opportunity to apply for rental and utility relief assistance.

Cobb County commissioners last week approved setting aside $22.8 million in emergency rental assistance grants. The grants are funded by the second stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law in December and can be used to pay rent, utilities and other expenses related to housing, the county said.

Eligible residents must qualify for unemployment or have had their incomes cut due to the pandemic; are at risk of being homeless; and have an income that is at or below 80% of the area household level. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Cobb County in 2019 was $77,932.

Cobb is partnering with several organizations who will administer the grants: HomeFree-USA, Star-C Corporation, MUST Ministries, The Center for Family Resources and Sweetwater Mission. Details about the qualifications and how to apply can be found on the county’s COVID-19 Assistance Center website.