City Council approved setting aside an initial $10 million Dec. 2 for the payments, which will not be restricted to use for rent or utility bills, unlike previous relief funds.
“We decided to allow them to use it based on their needs,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “If they need to spend it on rent, they can spend it on that. If they need to spend it on utilities or groceries, they can use it on that. If they need it for animal food for dogs or cats, they can use it on that. ... We didn’t want it to be so restrictive that it becomes frustrating.”
The provision also allows the city to potentially allocate up to $20 million more to the program in the coming weeks. City documents estimate the total allocation could assist up to 23,750 individuals.
Applications will be evaluated based on need rather than a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must be city of Houston residents, earn 80% or below the area median income and provide evidence of financial hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Any resident who received funding from Harris County’s direct assistance program may not apply.
BakerRipley, which also facilitates the city’s rent relief program, will be in charge of reviewing applications for the direct assistance program. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31.
Houston has until Dec. 31 to spend all of the $405 million of funding it received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. It recently allocated funds to new and existing relief measures, including a $3 million relief fund for music venues and musicians, $3 million for day care operators and a $10 million boost to the city’s existing small-business relief fund.
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December 03, 2020 at 01:21AM
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Houston residents can apply for $1200 in direct cash assistance - Community Impact Newspaper
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