The Shadow
ROANOKE, Va. (VR) – The national COVID-19 emergency order is scheduled to end on May 11, and with it funding for pandemic-era programming. While this ending is a sign that the country is doing better and that most of the devastating effects of the pandemic have passed us, this loss of funding means several programs that our community has come to rely on will end.
Over the last nine months, TAP has been able to assist 229 families with more than $500,000 in COVID relief funds. The loss of this funding will end or change the scope of services for these three programs:
The city of Roanoke-funded Eviction Prevention Services will be closing. This program kept Roanoke city residents who were at risk of losing their apartments from being evicted and assisted with utility disconnection notices.
The Department of Health Emergency COVID Assistance program in Alleghany County, Covington and Craig County will end. This program primarily paid past-due rent and utilities.
Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) will see changes in regulations and a decrease in funding, leading to a reduction of services for veterans in need in the community. Of particular note, SSVF will be limited in its ability to place homeless veterans into hotels for extended periods of time. In addition, the number of months of financial assistance for rent will be reduced and eligibility for many services will be limited to once every two years. Since October 22, 2022, TAP has served more than 112 veteran families through this program.
People in need in TAP’s service area can contact the agency to find out what services they are eligible for by calling 540.777.4673 or visiting tapintohope.org.
