Will County Board members have approved spending up to $100,000 to provide for housing needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
The board approved an initial $60,000 check to the United Way of Will County to assist with housing needs for those displaced by the pandemic. The county board also approved up to an additional $40,000 if further assistance is needed.
“Anything that we, as a county, can do to help our citizens who have been severely impacted by this public health pandemic is a worthwhile endeavor,” Denise Winfrey, D-Joliet, speaker of the Will County board, said in a news release. “Not only have countless people been stricken with the coronavirus and suffered life-threatening illness, they have lost jobs as thousands of businesses have either shuttered their doors or laid off workers.
“This is a critical lifeline for many hardworking families of Will County.”
United Way of Will County President and CEO Mike Hennessy said the money comes at a time when requests for assistance continue to increase. United Way will work with local agencies including Catholic Charities, Trinity Services, Respond Now and Guardian Angel Community Services in providing housing assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
“We are so honored and pleased that the Will County Board has made this wonderful contribution to help those in need in Will County,” Hennessy said.
Assistance can range from security deposits to help place people in housing to helping those who have fallen ill with the virus and need temporary housing as they isolate from their family, Winfrey said. The county’s action also allows for an additional $40,000 at a later date if needed.
“We’re aware because of how the crisis is stretching out that they may need more,” Winfrey said Friday.
She said the county is using fees generated from a plant that converts the methane gas expelled at the county-owned landfill into energy to pay to provide the housing assistance.
Hennessy said his agency has experienced an increase in funding requests from nonprofits across the county as a result of the pandemic. Many nonprofit agencies have lost funds as major fundraisers, typically held this time of year, have been canceled. Some of those agencies provide housing assistance.
“We’ve had about $1 million in requests for emergency assistance,” Hennessy said.
He said the United Way recently received about $250,000 in state funding and was able to approve grants to 22 organizations across the county. He anticipates additional funding through the state’s COVID-19 response fund to help social service agencies across the county meet the growing need for services.
The United Way of Will County has set up a COVID-19 response fund to benefit Will County agencies that provide assistance to area families in need. To donate to the fund, or to learn more information about the fund, visit www.uwwill.org.
Source: chicagotribune
