Just one month into the pandemic, *Mary lost her job. Five months later, Mary’s unemployment ran out. Though she receives child support, it alone was not enough cover the living expenses for herself and her child. The family fell into arrears in paying their rent causing the management company to file for eviction, further spinning the family into financial crisis.
Fortunately, Catholic Charities was able to assist Mary in staying in her home with her child. Through a grant funded by the Middlesex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MCERAP), Catholic Charities provided Mary with case management services to assist her in navigating the system to obtain assistance and bring financial stability back into her life. The Catholic Charities case manager worked with the tenant and the landlord, both of whom were responsive to completing the documentation necessary to secure relief for both parties. As a result the MCERAP will cover Mary’s eight months of rental and utility arrears. In addition, Mary’s case will be evaluated for future temporary rental assistance.
As our communities begin to open up, people are comforted to finally see families and friends who have been isolated for so long. However, the financial road to recovery for many families continues to be long and arduous. “We are pleased to partner with programs like MCERAP that enable Catholic Charities to help families to recover from hardships caused by the pandemic,” said Executive Director Julio Coto. “It is programs like these that help us fulfill our mission, and are reflective of our core values to prevent homelessness and keep families together, ” he added.
About the Middlesex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MCERAP) The Middlesex County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (MCERAP) is a rental assistance program designed to provide financial assistance and relief in the form of a grant to low- and moderate-income households residing in a rental unit in Middlesex County that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about MCERAP, including eligibility requirements, and how to submit an application, please visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/rentalassistance or call Catholic Charities at 732-324-8200 to speak to a case manager.
Last year Catholic Charities provided more than 160,000 hours of service to our neighbors in the Diocesan counties of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Warren. For more information about Catholic Charities’ programs and services, please visit www.ccdom.org .