By Eric Curl
May 1, 2023 – While the need is no doubt still there, federal rental assistance provided during the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an option.
Chatham County recently closed out the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program after reportedly using $14 million in grant funding to support 3,159 households over a 2-year period during the pandemic.
The funding was used to help households pay for rent, utilities and housing expenses such as security deposits, moving costs and lodging, according to close-out reports the county was required to submit to the US Treasury by April 28. About $1.4 million of the total reportedly went towards administrative expenses.
By the time the US Treasury’s Dec. 29 deadline to spend the funds arrived, the county had about $3.5 million in awarded funds left over. As a result, the Chatham County Commission voted on April 14 to reduce the contract amount for a vendor hired to help distribute the funds, with the unspent amount required to be returned to the US Treasury.
After launching the program locally in January 2021, the county partnered with six local nonprofit organizations to provide assistance to households in need during the public health emergency. The county also contracted with a third-party vendor in April 2022, Georgia Micro Enterprise Network to help distribute the funds.
Nonprofit partners
United Way of the Coastal Empire, Inc.
Economic Opportunity Authority of Savannah-Chatham County (EOA).
Family Promise of the Coastal Empire, Inc.
Greenbriar Children’s Center.
Park Place Outreach, Inc.
Union Mission, Inc.
Chatham County ERAP Reports
Marketing efforts included United Way’s 2-1-1 service and partnering with Georgia Power to get information about the program to residents who had fallen behind on their electricity bills. In response to an eviction moratorium ending in July 2021, county officials also coordinated efforts with Magistrate Court to get tenants facing eviction connected to the program. In addition, the county partnered with the city’s utility services department to provide assistance to residents who were having trouble paying their water bills.
The county reported facing some challenges in implementing the program, including frequently changing performance measures and reporting requirements from the US Treasury. There were also concerns with duplication after the state expanded its own program throughout Georgia and no data sharing agreement or aligned software was put in place, according to the report.
By the numbers:
- Number of applicants: 5,783
- Number of recipients: 3,159
- Total amount of ERA award paid to or for participant households: $12,270,705
- Total Dollar Amount of ERA funds paid for Administrative Expenses: $1,347,144
- Total Dollar Amount of ERA Award Funds Paid (Expended) for Housing Stability Services (temporary housing, case management, counseling): $405,516
- Average Number of Months of Rent or Utility/Home Energy Payments Covered for Each Participant Household: 4
Source: Chatham County ERAP compliance report
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