Rent, utility assistance still available; call Concern for help
COVID-19 relief funds received earlier this year from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce have so far been used to help hundreds of Bartlesville residents — and there is still funding available for others who have faced hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic, Assistant City Planner Nancy Warring said today.
“These funds, which are administered through the local non-profit Concern, have already helped many local residents in need of assistance due to COVID-19, and there is still funding available,” Warring said. “Anyone who thinks they meet the criteria for assistance is encouraged to contact Concern and begin the application process.”
The City was awarded $936,189 in COVID relief funding for the public earlier this year. The City Council opted to use the funding to offer rent and utility assistance to Bartlesville residents meeting the defined criteria, as well as to help fund a Grand Lake Mental Health Center program that provides iPads to individuals to ensure continued mental health assistance.
Warring said today the funds have to date been used to help more than 64 people with rent and utility assistance and have ensured continued mental health assistance for 396 people.
“Grand Lake Mental Health Center has used all of their part of the grant and have been paid their portion, or $333,333,” Warring said. “So, they’ve helped 396 individuals, and the assistance to those individuals continues indefinitely. And, as of last Tuesday, Concern had given out $20,698 in rent assistance and $7,195.76 in utility assistance. The assistance has helped 31 households, which is over 64 individuals.”
The program expires March 2023.
If you need help paying rent or utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic, call Concern to see if you’re eligible for assistance through the City of Bartlesville COVID Relief Fund Program. To begin the application process, call 918.214.8945.
For more information, see Concern accepting COVID relief fund applications.