Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth (HFHGP) has announced a Phase Two extension of their COVID-19 Rent Relief program. Originally launched in mid-June, the organization has received an additional $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts to extend the opportunity to more households.
Through “Habitat Here & Now,” the organization will provide up to $1,000 in one-time financial assistance for low- to moderate-income renting households, for the sole purpose of rent relief. All funds approved through this program will be distributed directly to landlords by HFHGP.
The application process is open to residents (in a rented unit) in Plymouth, Carver, Kingston, Middleboro, Lakeville or Plympton and must be low- to moderate-income qualified, according to HUD. Applicants must have suffered job termination, wage/hours reduction directly due to the COVID-19 crisis, or have pandemic-related hardship in the home.
HFHGP took the initiative to launch this program in recognition of the significant, destabilizing effects that COVID-19 has brought to many residents in the community. This emergency rent relief program is meant to help those struggling to pay critical household bills, and nearly $25,000 was distributed by HFHGP in Phase One. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis, but all applications must be received by August 25. Funds are limited and eligible applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Applications are available for download at www.hfhplymouth.org/covidrelief. Completed applications and supplemental material can be emailed to support@hfhplymouth.org (Word, PDF or photos of pages acceptable). Applications can also be mailed to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, PO Box 346, Carver, MA 02330. Applicants will receive notification of outcome within approximately two weeks. For a hard copy of the application, questions or more information, please contact m or (508) 866-4188, ext. 240.
This grant, being made from the SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund, is made possible, in part, by a partnership with the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund and many generous donors. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund works in concert with regional community foundations and non-profit leaders to support those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities and those facing food insecurity. For more information, visit MACovid19ReliefFund.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth is a registered non-profit organization with a mission of providing decent affordable housing in the region. Their office, along with its ReStore, is located at 160 N. Main Street in Carver and the service area includes Plymouth, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Plympton and Lakeville. In addition to complete home builds, they also make repairs on existing homes that are essential for health and safety. An application process is required for those interested in becoming a Habitat homeowner and for home repairs. HFHGP is continuously seeking volunteers, financial support, and furniture/building material donations to the ReStore. More information, volunteer sign-up, and applications can be found at www.hfhplymouth.org, and readers are encouraged to follow HFHGP and HFHGP ReStore on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Questions can be directed to info@hfhplymouth.org or 508-866-4188.
