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Good Neighbors reports rising assistance demand; ARPA-funded navigator to continue after private gift
Summary
Good Neighbors told supervisors it spent roughly $367,000 on assistance this year, the navigator oversaw about $326,000 of that work and helped 537 households (about 1,318 Story County residents); the organization expects to spend most ARPA funds by October and a private donation will fund the navigator position beyond ARPA.
Bill, representing Good Neighbors, presented combined emergency-assistance and ARPA progress reports. He said the organization spent roughly $367,000 on assistance over the year, the navigator position oversaw approximately $326,000 of that support, and the office recorded 537 individual household clients (about 1,318 Story County residents). Bill described a proportional shift toward utility assistance for county residents as compared with rent assistance in Ames, and he noted operational challenges such as transportation barriers for county residents traveling to Ames for intake.
On ARPA funding, Bill said the agency expects to spend most ARPA dollars by the end of October but anticipates a small administration/technology allocation will likely remain unspent. He added that a private donation to the foundation will allow Good Neighbors to continue funding the navigator position after ARPA funds expire. "The navigator herself was responsible for overseeing about $326,000 of that," Bill said. The board raised operational questions but took no formal action at the meeting.
