New at ten - it's now been more than 2 months since madison county was awarded 5 point 2 million dollars to help landlords and those struggling to pay rent.
And the commission still has no plan in place to set up its emergency rental assistance program.
Waay 31's alex torres-perez joins us live with why it's taking so long.
The madison county commission is essentially starting over in its process to set up its rental assistance program!
Commissioner violet edwards told me she had a plan in place where that money would be distributed by local non- profits.
However-- the commission did not vote on it because they wanted to make sure the entire application process was legal and that the money was distributed correctly.
Meanwhile -- people in the county are having to anxiously wait to get access to that federal aid.
"there was just no way i could pay rent."
Paige martin lost her job last march during the pandemic.
She then had to move in with family because she could not afford living on her own.
"i feel very fortunate because i know a lot of people who do not have family members.
They don't have anybody they can rely on."
A year later and paige is just now starting to get back on her feet.
She recently moved into her own place in huntsville and even started a new job last week.
But paige knows it's not like that for everyone.
"i know several people with jobs that have government jobs that cannot pay the bills.
It's really a bad situation."
The cares act provided millions of dollars to states across to assist those who need help.
Alabama received 263 million dollars.
The act also funded separate programs for huntsville and madison county.
Now -- the state and huntsville have already set up their programs -- but madison county has not.
Just last week -- the county commission issued an emergency request proposal to find a person who will be responsible for all grant related activities.
It expects to select that person by the next commission meeting on april 14th.
However-- it's still unclear how much time will pass before an actual plan on distributing the funds will be in place.
Commissioner edwards says she doesn't expect the program to be up and running next month -- meaning people in madison county will have to wait even longer.
While paige has access to the huntsville rental assistance program -- she says she personally knows that feeling of need.
"it's just very important that people get help."
Now those funds will be eligible through september of next year!
Since the madison county's program is not operating at this time -- people in madison county can apply to the state e-r-a program.
However -- the website says the program only might take your application.
I reached out to the state e-r-a program for clarification and am waiting to hear back.
Reporting in madison co.
Atp waay 31 news.
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