January 3, 2021
By: Tyler Eckel
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP (MERCER): Hamilton Township’s Department of Community and Economic Development announces program to assist with utility, rent and mortgage relief to qualifying Township residents.
Hamilton Township has secured over $650,000 of its federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Funds (CDBG-CV 3) in order to fund the Township’s Mortgage & Rental Relief Assistance Program. Program applications will fall into two categories – residential and business assistance. Program applications will be reviewed in coordination by the Township and Arm In Arm, a local non-profit agency which assists Mercer County residents with food, housing, and job support.
The residential portion of the Mortgage & Rental Relief Program will allow for rental, mortgage or utility assistance to low and moderate income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency rental or mortgage assistance grant has a cap of $10,000 throughout a period of six months. All approved applicants will be reviewed at the three-month interval to see if they are still in need of assistance.
“Many Hamilton residents have experienced a significant disruption to their lives – both their health and economically. This program goes a long way to ensure these residents do not fall behind on their rent, mortgage or utility and will allow them and their family to have a safe place to live,” said Mayor Jeff Martin. “I want to thank Fred Dumont, Director of Community & Economic Development, and his team for partnering with Arm In Arm so these funds get distributed as quickly as possible to those who need them.”
“This program helps our homeowners and renters but just as important it helps our landlords and financial institutions,” stated Fred Dumont, Director of Community and Economic Development. “It allows people to stay in their homes, allows the landlords to pay their taxes, and the banks to keep our residents employed. Coupled with our upcoming commercial mortgage and rental relief program, this is a big lift to our economy.”
Details on the business portion of the Mortgage & Rental Relief Program will be announced at a date in the near future. Individuals and businesses seeking to review the program requirements or to apply may do so by visiting HamiltonNJ.com/MortgageRentalRelief or arminarm.org/HTA
