NRCA Response to COVID-19

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New River Community Action COVID-19 Response

NRCA’s COVID-19 response began in late April when the agency began to receive Cares Act funding. NRCA received $74,400 in COVID-19 relief funds from DHCD for emergency shelter for homeless individuals. NRCA’s Housing and Homeless Programs provided hotel vouchers to individuals presenting as homeless (adults and adult couples) who were unable to access our partner’s shelters. NRCA received $573,408 in CSBG Supplemental funds on April 28, 2020 and is using these funds for emergency assistance including rent, utilities, emergency shelter, food, and restricted food cards. Through the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program, NRCA received $541,666 to help individuals impacted by COVID to cover rent and mortgage payments. Additionally, NRCA received Cares Act funding through local government CDBG funding.

Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) offers a variety of temporary assistance for residents or transients who are 200% poverty income or below who are experiencing financial crises. With supplemental Cares Act funding, EAP expanded the amount of assistance available to clients meeting income requirements beginning April 28, 2020. Additionally, NRCA began offering an additional service, restricted Food Lion gift cards in the amount of $25 to clients seeking assistance with food.

Food Lion restricted gift cards were distributed to low-income families in need of nutrition support during the COVID-19 quarantine.  EAP community service workers completed intakes over the phone with clients and mailed a $25 gift card for each member of the household. The cards were distributed as needed but only once per month.

 

Individuals Served April 28, 2020 – Sept 30, 2020: 

Food distribution: 520

Transportation Services: 21

Emergency Clothing: 90

School Supplies: 98

Households who avoided eviction:  68

Rent or Mortgage Assistance: 516

Utility Assistance: 958

Utility Deposit: 41

Rent Deposit: 47

 

Housing and Homeless Programs

Housing and Homeless Programs (HHP) offer financial assistance, housing counseling, and group education to help clients create a path to safe, affordable, and stable housing.

VA Rent and Mortgage Relief Program

NRCA received $541,666 in funds through the VA Rent and Mortgage Relief Program. Clients were eligible for services if they had a COVID financial impact and 80% AMI. Rent or mortgage payments could not be more than 150% of fair market rent value. A valued lease or mortgage document with the client’s name was required for certification.

Individuals Served April 28, 2020 – Sept 30, 2020: 

Rent: 128

Mortgage: 11

Emergency Shelter for the Homeless

With $74,400 in COVID-19 relief funds from DHCD, NRCA provided emergency shelter for homeless individuals.

Households experiencing homelessness who obtained safe temporary shelter:  48

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provides free income tax assistance to low-income people filing forms 1040, 1040EZ, or 1040A. Assistance is provided from February through April of each year by appointment. When NRCA went on lockdown on March 17, 2020, the VITA program was suspended and no longer able to accept new requests for tax preparation. NRCA staff worked to complete the existing caseload until the program was re-opened on May 20, 2020. With CSBG Supplemental funding, we were able to keep VITA operational during the lockdown and extend the season through July 15, 2020 (the extended federal income tax return deadline).

Individuals who increased their net worth: 139