GREENSBORO, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper announced millions of dollars in funding to help people behind on their rent or utility payments, struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Governor's Office reports that the $175 million will split three ways, to help North Carolinians avoid eviction and catch up on their bills.
The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency received the lion’s share of the funding. The department will use $94 million to address eviction prevention and utility payments. It will distribute money to eligible community agencies around the state that will work directly with people on the application process. The Governor's Office says $66 million of that comes from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Another $53 million will go to the Emergency Solutions Grant-Coronavirus Program through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This funding will be available for people already experiencing or in immediate danger of experiencing homelessness. That money will also be handed out by community agencies. According to a press release, this will be used to streamline the process for families.
Finally, $28 million will go toward local governments. It's aimed toward municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents and counties with fewer than 200,000 residents.
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