With foreclosure on the horizon for some residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Jackson is proposing uses more funds to keep people in their homes. A hearing will be held at the Tuesday, Feb. 9 virtual Jackson City Council meeting for the council to hear public comment on the proposal, which plans to allocate an additional $120,000 to foreclosure prevention.
Additional money for this program would use CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) funds from the federal government. In May 2020, the City Council allocated $60,000 in CARES funds to the foreclosure prevention program, with $20,000 going to the Community Action Agency (CAA) to administer the program. City officials are now proposing an additional $100,000 to the program and an added $20,000 to CAA.
Economic strains brought on by the pandemic are putting residents in dire financial situations, which often means not being able to afford mortgage and property tax payments. These additional fund allocations are being proposed to keep up with the growing demand for foreclosure help in the City and keep families in their homes. Residents needing this assistance apply through CAA, and must met certain requirements, such as City residency, be of a low-to-moderate income, and prove they’ve been financially impacted by the pandemic. Payments go from CAA directly to the mortgage holder or the Jackson County Treasurer and not the resident.
Jackson residents are invited to review the proposed amendment and give input. At the Tuesday, Feb. 9 virtual meeting, the City Council will receive public comment on the proposal in a hearing, and then vote on the allocation. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Residents may participate in the meeting by watching live broadcasts on Comcast Cable Channel 21, the City website, and the City Facebook page. Residents wishing to submit comments for the hearing are asked to submit written comments to the City Clerk’s Office using the email citizencomments@cityofjackson.org. The comments will be read aloud during the meeting by the City Clerk.
Comments on the proposal that are not intended for the public hearing may be directed to Michelle L. Pultz-Orthaus, Grant Coordinator, using the email mpultz@cityofjackson.org. All comments will be summarized in the amendment report to the federal government.