Mercer County providing funds for those most in need of rental assistance
Mercer County providing funds for those most in need of rental assistance
Renters statewide and nationally have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mercer County officials are seeking to support the county’s most in need on catch up on rent after being awarded close to $11 million in federal funds. The federal funds are from the latest signed $900 billion stimulus package back in December 2020.
The county’s new grant funds are designed to help individuals, specifically the most vulnerable residents, avoid eviction as the pandemic continues and also help with past due utilities. Those eligible are only Mercer County renters and applications opened on March 1.
BERRYVILLEÂ â Five years from now, Clarke County residents may be able to have all of their human services needs handled in one location.
A five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) includes the construction or acquisition of a joint building for the Clarke County Department of Social Services (DSS), the Lord Fairfax Health District s local office and possibly Northwestern Community Services. The latter currently doesn t have an office in the county.Â
The CIP estimates the building s construction cost at $1.5 million and recommends that funding be provided in fiscal 2026, the last year covered by the document.
It s the largest single expense listed in the plan, which the Clarke County Board of Supervisors recently adopted.