Temporary rental assistance program distributes $16.2 million to over 2,230 St. Joseph County households

by Annie Kate

January 26, 2023

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind.-- At the beginning of 2021, St. Joseph County got a grant from the federal government to provide temporary rental assistance for those whose incomes were affected by COVID-19, and who were at risk of homelessness.

The county partnered with enFocus and other agencies to manage case applications and distribute the funding. The program wrapped at the end of 2022.

"As our survey indicated, many of them felt like this gave them a second chance, and gave them an opportunity to begin again," said enFocus Project Manager, Mike Bogdan.

Enfocus reported $16.2 million were distributed to over 2,230 households county-wide. They said they were able to provide up 15 months of rental and utility assistance.

According to a survey conducted by enFocus, 87 percent of respondents said they had a good or very good experience with this emergency rental assistance (ERA) program.

Also, 79 percent reported experiencing less stress while receiving emergency rental assistance.

"Individuals who are experiencing housing instability have negative impacts on their health and children who are living in that kind of situation also tend to have poor educational outcomes. So we wanted to find a way beyond just the dollar amount," Bogdan said. "Beyond that, we wanted to get a sense of 'what are the longer-term impacts? What is the impact, what does it feel like in their households?' So we tried to accomplish that with the survey."

One beneficiary of the program, who remains anonymous, sent the following statement, translated from Spanish:

“The ERA program helped me during COVID to manage the fear of eviction and find a balance for my family. My financial problems are not over, but ERA has helped.”