CLEVELAND — With unemployment hitting record numbers in Ohio, many are now facing economic concerns. Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish said Friday that a recent survey shows more than 21 percent of Ohio residents are currently unable to make their housing payments.
"We want to keep people in their homes and their apartments," Budish said. "We're doing everything we can to get our residents through this coronavirus economic crisis."
That's why he announced a $6.8 million rent relief plan.
“I’ve recommended to council that we provide $5 million of our corona relief funds that come from the federal government, and $1.8 million of our community development grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for rent relief," Budish said. "This $6.8 million will be provided to income-eligible applicants for up to three months of back rent. The checks will be made out to their landlords, which should not only help renters by keeping them in their homes, but this program should also stem the economic disaster that could hurt building owners, the landlords."
Budish said the Cleveland Housing Network will be ready for applications on July 1, but anyone who needs assistance now should call 211.
He said the county is joining forces with the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Lakewood and Parma "to create a countywide system for emergency rental assistance to prevent people from losing their homes and ending up homeless."
You can watch the full press conference in the player below:
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