Published: 12/18/2021 5:34:53 PM
Modified: 12/18/2021 5:34:39 PM
AMHERST — Area residents who have fallen behind on their rent, mortgage and utility payments, or expect to in the near future, are among those getting assistance from an Amherst-based agency in seeking financial support.
Amherst Community Connections is providing outreach and application assistance to community members in need after receiving a $30,000 grant from the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, a statewide housing advocacy and research organization based in Boston.
Hwei-Ling Greeney, executive director of the Amherst agency, said Thursday that the CHAPA funding means offering assistance to people, over the next six months, who could lose their homes or apartments.
“We are here to help,” Greeney said. “The purpose is to prevent homelessness.”
Greeney said applicants can look back to March 15, 2020, when the pandemic began, and there is no cap on how much assistance they might get.
“If you need 18 months, they will give it to you,” Greeney said
To help with the application process, a housing specialist at Amherst Community Connections can work with clients by phone, via Zoom or through in-person appointments at the 236 North Pleasant St. site.
Greeney said that the caseworkers are Maggie Linzey, emergency housing assistance specialist and Seli Malave-Tomei, who handles cases for Spanish speakers.
People who are automatically eligible to apply include those receiving SNAP benefits, or food stamps, and living in Section 8, public or subsidized housing.
Those who are behind on their payments, or anticipate being so, also need to provide information about their landlords or property management companies.
Already, Amherst Community Connections has opened cases for 30 to 40 individuals, ensuring that, even if they are behind on rent or mortgage, they will not lose their housing. The agency is one of three in western Massachusetts, with the others in Ware and Pittsfield, aiding people.
Greeney said completed applications will be reviewed by Way Finders, which administers financial assistance programs from its Springfield office.
For more information, go to http://www.amherstcommunityconnections.net/financial-assistance
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
