“Remember how desperately people needed help. They couldn't go to work. People lost their jobs. [$490 thousand] It could have been used. ”
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. — Washington County plans to return more than $490,000 in unused Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds to the federal government, according to a recording of the March 12 commission meeting.
In January 2021, Washington County received ERA grant funding from the U.S. government during the COVID-19 pandemic and distributed more than $9 million to residents. Washington County Justice of the Peace Beth Koger said some ERA applicants have been sent denial letters by the county due to lack of funds.
But in recent weeks, after being contacted by churches asking for applications, Koger said he realized there was more than $490,000 in unallocated ERA money. And according to the ERA grant policy issued by the United States, unallocated funds before a certain date had to be returned. The deadline was September 2022.
“Remember how much people needed help? They couldn't go to work. People were out of work. That money could have been used,” Koger said. “I think it's no exaggeration to say that this has enabled over 400 families to stay in their homes for several months.”
Washington County Treasurer Bobby Hill was asked about the ERA payout at the meeting and was heard saying, “We're in the process of ending it,” but asked how that process would work. When asked, he replied, “That's a good question.''
When 5NEWS reached out to Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins' office, a spokesperson told us the deadline for these funds to be used was during the former judge's administration. Deakins said at the March 12 meeting that the county is awaiting direction from the U.S. government on how to return the money.
5NEWS will update this article. More information about ERA Money has been discovered.
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