Tucker and NETWorks to Offer COVID Relief Housing Assistance

Our Town DeKalb Staff

A portion of the federal funds approved in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, goes directly to local and state governments to help lessen the economic impact of the pandemic on the residents. The City of Tucker has allocated $1.2 million of the federal funds it received through ARPA to assist Tucker residents who are facing housing insecurities. The funds will be distributed through NETWorks Cooperative Ministry, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit, whose mission is to respond to the food and financial needs of residents and to partner with them to find long-term solutions to poverty. NETWorks managed a similar program for the city in 2020 with CARES Act funding.

While there are many households facing pandemic-related financial impacts, the goal of the ARPA office is to reduce housing insecurity for Tucker’s most vulnerable residents by preventing evictions and the disconnection of essential utility services. Assistance can be used to pay pastdue rent, mortgage payments or utilities; eligible expenses must be dated during the pandemic (beginning March 15, 2020) and cannot be paid for by another assistance program. Priority will be given to households with incomes below $35,025 (for a two-person household) or who have experienced ninety days of continuous unemployment.

Tenants and landlords are each eligible to apply, however all applications will require the participation of both tenants and landlords in order to be considered. Assigned case managers will assist applicants in navigating the necessary components of the process. Applicants for housing help must meet the following criteria: • reside in the City of Tucker • earn less than $49,440 (for a single household) + $6,600 for each additional member of the household • provide all necessary documentation showing financial need • an ability to connect the financial hardship to the pandemic • provide proper ID with government-issued documentation (state or federal ID, driver’s license or passport)

Applicants can apply online at tuckerga.gov/arp or networkscoop.org/arp. Questions on the program or eligibility can be directed to Sabrina Chambers at 470.500.5341 or Sabrina@NETWorksCoop.org.