Are you a housing provider who has residents unable to pay rent or utility bills? If you are then you absolutely need to be on this
Monday’s OREIA Market Update.

Our guest speaker for the evening is Philip Cole of the OACAA, joining us to talk about the new funds available to help low-income Ohioans with past due rent, mortgage, water, and sewer bills.

Phil Cole has been the Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) since 1989. Throughout his career, he has been nationally recognized for his advocacy for issues of low-income people through his work at OACAA and numerous Ohio boards, commissions, and task forces. He is a recipient of the Charles W. Peckham Award for Humanitarian Leadership as well as the National Community Action Foundation Robert M. Coard Advocacy Award.

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies represents 47 agencies across Ohio. These Community Action Agencies serve the needs of low-income people in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. CAAs provide education and training, emergency services, and other assistance programs to nearly 600,000 Ohioans annually.

The OACAA’s latest press release explains that on October 23^rd, “Governor Mike DeWine, along with leadership of the General Assembly, announced the availability of funds for the Community Action Network to assist low-income Ohioans with past due rent, mortgage, water, and sewer payments. As part of the CARES Act stimulus package, the funds are available to households impacted by COVID-19 beginning November 2, 2020 until the end of December this year.”

Community Action groups seek to have a positive impact on people by creating realistic pathways to success. The ultimate goal is to enable people to become independent of any public or charitable assistance and reach their fullest potential.

Helping obtain or retain stable and secure housing is a very important part of the service CAAs provide. The local groups in your area are going to be vital to helping your struggling tenants catch up on rent or utilities.