Covington was recently awarded EFSP funds for Phase 38. The funds can be used to assist any resident of Covington with mortgage, rent and utility bills.
The national EFSP office mandates that one month’s bill can be paid per spending cycle. Phase 38 ends April 30, 2022. The agencies receiving the funds are not able to deviate from the policies and procedures of the national office.
The following agencies have received funds for certain assistance.
— Mortgage and other emergency shelter. HOPE-Helping Other People Excel, 414 S. Mercer Ave., Covington, Va. 24426, 691-5248, email: hopeinc4u2day@aol.com. The office is open Monday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments can be made through email.
— Rental assistance. Total Action for Progress, 118 S. Lexington Ave., Covington, Va. 24426, 962-6328. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call to make an appointment.
— Utility assistance: The Salvation Army, 115 S. Lexington Ave., Covington, Va. 24426, 962-6206. The office is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call to make an appointment.
SafeHome Systems received funding to operate as a domestic abuse shelter.
Alleghany County was also awarded some funds for residents not living in Covington. The funds are limited. Call TAP for rental assistance and The Salvation Army for utility assistance.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Board Program is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. It has been entrusted through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services by local service organizations for people across the nation who are hungry, homeless and facing economic crisis.
Funded agencies known as Local Recipient Organizations use EFSPsupplemntal funds for mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through pantries and food banks, one-month utility payments to prevent service cut-off, and one month of rent or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions.
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