Somerset County To Get $1.6M CARES Grant For Rental Assistance

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County is receiving roughly a $1.6 million grant through the federal CARES Act to help people who are at high risk of eviction due to the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The grant is part of the allocation of the remaining $1.988 billion in CARES Act funding for the Community Development Block Grant program, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Monday.

The funds can be used to provide temporary financial assistance to meet rental obligations for up to 6 months, federal officials said.

"These funds can help households struggling to meet their rental or mortgage obligations to stay afloat as our nation continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic," HUD Secretary Ben Carson said.

The grants are aimed at low-income communities where people are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, federal officials said.

Specifically:

• Communities with high rates of individuals in industries with high job loss in states with high unemployment;
• Communities with high rates of businesses in industries with high job loss in states with high unemployment; and
• Concentrations of those most at risk for transmission and risk of eviction, with higher amounts for states with high rates of coronavirus.

In addition to the funds awarded to Franklin Township, is slated to receive $413,473 in CARES Act grants for the same purpose, to help prevent evictions.

— With reporting by Karen Wall, Patch Staff

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