Warren County officials are addressing a pressing need for housing and utility assistance as the community faces an increase in requests for support. During a recent government meeting, it was revealed that $4.6 million in funding, initially allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), remains available for use before the September 2024 deadline.

Local representatives highlighted that community services have received approximately 200 calls this year from residents seeking help with housing security and utility needs. However, the current resources are limited, with only a small homeless shelter, Family Promise, offering a handful of rooms for those in crisis.

The discussion centered on the potential to contract with Warren County Community Services to manage the distribution of these funds effectively. This organization is already fielding calls and has the infrastructure to promote the availability of assistance through their channels. The proposal aims to ensure that residents at risk of losing their homes or struggling to pay utility bills can access the necessary support.

Officials emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that while the funding was previously deemed unnecessary due to lower demand, the current climate has shifted dramatically. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of revisiting the allocation of these funds to provide timely assistance to those in need within the community.