Help offered for renters worried about eviction

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

A Mon Valley Initiative leader says although the economy is picking back up after hits taken amid the coronavirus pandemic, there is still “a high percentage of people in Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties who are unemployed or under-employed.”

And Dr. T. Charles Howell IV, director of workforce development and financial coaching, is concerned about those who are unemployed or underemployed as a nationwide eviction moratorium — enacted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic — is scheduled to expire Saturday.

A nonprofit community development corporation, Mon Valley Initiative has more than 20 years of experience helping unemployed residents connect with jobs and job-training programs. 

During the pandemic, the nonprofit’s employment and financial coaches pivoted to helping laid off Mon Valley residents connect with COVID-19 emergency relief for rent, utilities, health care and more.

Experts, the Mon Valley Initiative said in a release, are concerned that a “tidal wave” of evictions could begin this summer as landlords seek to remove tenants who cannot afford rent.

“About $46 billion was allocated for rent relief, but a lot of folks in our area aren’t sure how to access it,” Howell said.

In late June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a final, one-month extension of the federal moratorium on evictions through July 31.

Pennsylvanians experiencing housing instability or at risk of eviction are strongly encouraged by the state Department of Human Services to not wait until the moratorium ends and to start their rental assistance application now.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.