CARES Funding for Housing Relief Now!
In Bossier City, Gerald Anthony Wilson lost his job as a sales manager for a national company that sells timeshares. With the loss of membership revenues, Gerald’s job and his much expected promotion to regional sales manager was gone. But he considers himself much luckier than many people in Bossier City. His apartment's property management staff has been understanding and working with him and his neighbors. “When they talked to me they said they understand and didn’t have any intentions to put anyone out. They said to bring what I can and pay something towards the rent so that they can keep paying the maintenance and lawn services and keep things running. They said we will get through this together.” We must put housing first to get through this together as a state.
The state and local governments will be getting a combined $29.7M in funds through the CARES Act due to the coronavirus that can be used to create rental assistance programs throughout the state. Before COVID-19, 48 percent of renters spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs in the state. Now, since so many people are unable to work due to shelter-in-place policies, Louisianans are finding it harder to afford their homes.In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in Louisiana, full-time workers need to earn $16.86 per hour. Without assistance, there could be a huge increase in evictions following their suspension. The state will also be getting $13.9M in funding that can be use for utility assistance, but it likely won't be enough. Additionally, there are homeless and housing insecure residents that still don’t have a safe home to shelter in place. We asked that you work with us to get additional CARES funding used to create housing programs with caseworkers for those who require social services. Louisianans need housing relief now!
CARES Funding for Housing Relief Now!
In Bossier City, Gerald Anthony Wilson lost his job as a sales manager for a national company that sells timeshares. With the loss of membership revenues, Gerald’s job and his much expected promotion to regional sales manager was gone. But he considers himself much luckier than many people in Bossier City. His apartment's property management staff has been understanding and working with him and his neighbors. “When they talked to me they said they understand and didn’t have any intentions to put anyone out. They said to bring what I can and pay something towards the rent so that they can keep paying the maintenance and lawn services and keep things running. They said we will get through this together.” We must put housing first to get through this together as a state.
The state and local governments will be getting a combined $29.7M in funds through the CARES Act due to the coronavirus that can be used to create rental assistance programs throughout the state. Before COVID-19, 48 percent of renters spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs in the state. Now, since so many people are unable to work due to shelter-in-place policies, Louisianans are finding it harder to afford their homes.In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in Louisiana, full-time workers need to earn $16.86 per hour. Without assistance, there could be a huge increase in evictions following their suspension. The state will also be getting $13.9M in funding that can be use for utility assistance, but it likely won't be enough. Additionally, there are homeless and housing insecure residents that still don’t have a safe home to shelter in place. We asked that you work with us to get additional CARES funding used to create housing programs with caseworkers for those who require social services. Louisianans need housing relief now!