The Jones County/ Gray GICH Committee that also serves as the Housing Committee had a presentation about rental assistance still available to those affected by the pandemic.
The June 24 meeting was called to order by committee chairman Donald Black. He began by introducing Christopher Houston, with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, who is the Outreach Coordinator for the Georgia Rental Assistance program. Houston joined the meeting via Zoom.
The speaker said the program is a plan by the U.S. Treasury to help people impacted by the pandemic to pay their rent. He said the DCA set up the Georgia program in March of 2021 in the amount of $582 million and a second fund in the amount of $437 million for a total of $989 million.
Houston said phase 1 of the distribution had been completed, and the second phase is starting.
“The funds are for people affected by COVID directly or indirectly,” he said.
The coordinator said an example of the eligible costs would be the expense a single parent had in order to home school children. He said to be eligible for the assistance, applicants would need to have income less than 80 percent of the median income for the county.
Houston said applicants needed to be able to provide income and lease verification, and applications could be made through the payment portal online. The website address is georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov.
“The main goal of the program is to assist with housing stability,” he said.
The coordinator said the program will continue through September of 2025 or until the funds run out. He said 56 applications have been received from Jones County, and 16 individuals have utilized the program, receiving $135,000. Houston said he would
Houston said he would like to partner with the Jones County School System to help families that are struggling.
Committee member Joy Carr, who also serves as the Family Connection Coordinator, suggested checking with Jones County’s Magistrate Court that handles evictions. She also reminded him about the July 25 Back to School event in Jones County.
Houston said he would attend.
“I’ve been with this program since the beginning, and I try to go where the pain is,” he said.
Houston said he had reached out to magistrate courts in other counties to catch those at the point of being evicted.
“This program helps renters and makes landlords whole, too,” he said.
Carr said she had directed people to the program website, and she was glad to know that 56 people made applications and that 16 had been approved.
Dean Nelson, Government Services Specialist with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, noted that the City of Gray was approved for a CHIP Grant. He said the webinar about the CHIP Grant stated the first step was clearing the environment reviews.
Nelson said the grant would have three years to complete, with the city limits of the entire city being the target area. He said the MGRC was the administrator for the grant.
Tonya Mole is the representative for DCA District 6. She added that mortgage assistance is also available through another program. Mole said applications for that assistance is available on the website, and the website for the program is georgiamortgageassistance.ga.gov.
Carr said the Jones County Back to School event would take place July 25 at Buter Hall from 10 a.m. to noon. She said 1,000 bookbags filled with school supplies would be available to students, and there are 15 agencies already signed up to be involved.
The coordinator said 500 students usually come to the first event, and there will be a second bookbag and school supply distribution Aug. 4 at Clifton Ridge Middle School.
Carr said the Partners in Prevention Project grant program was focusing on the danger of vaping and electronic cigarettes with a series of meetings at the Jones County Public Library. She said the Catch My Breath vaping prevention program would also be in Jones County schools in the fall.
She said the Jones County Suicide Prevention Program would continue, and the coalition hoped to sponsor a Greyhound football game.
Operation Early Intervention coordinator Shana Baccus said Toys for Tots was beginning a pilot program with other counties to distribute backpacks for foster kids.
She said the Strengthen Families program was continuing this year with seven families previously graduated.
Earlene Hamilton spoke about the Youth Challenge program. She said applications for the program are finally online, and more applications are being received. Hamilton said a Job Fair Academy was being held at Fort Stewart that includes technical school training.
“It’s a great opportunity and makes it easier for families to apply,” she said.
Hamilton said, between Fort Gordon and Fort Stewart, a new Youth Challenge Class begins every quarter.
The website for the program is georgiayouthchallenge.org for more information.
Carr said a new representative for the Jones County Neighborhood Services office is located at 235 Bill Conn Parkway. She said people should call the office at 478-986- 5663, leave a message and they will receive a call back.
The next GICH Committee meeting is scheduled Sept. 23. The meetings are held in the Charlotte Wilson Conference Room in the Government Center.
