THOMASVILLE, N.C. -
Renters in Davidson County will soon have access to a portion of $1.4 million in federal stimulus money designed to help people avoid eviction.
The money, which can help with rent payments for up to 18 months, is available for people who are at risk of losing their rental homes because of sudden loss of income due to either being laid off or being forced out of work by a major illness.
Davidson is one of five counties in North Carolina chosen to have access to the money, which comes from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act.
Tammy Hudson said she felt her prayers had been answered when she learned of the money.
"When you can pay your bills on time, that's peace, and all of a sudden, we just got laid off," she said.
Hudson recently lost her job and hasn't yet been able to find another full-time position. Her daughter and granddaughter live with her, and the family is behind on rent and close to eviction.
"It's hard right now, and when you have kids and grandkids, you want the best for them. You don't want to keep moving them and moving them. I just want to be at peace," she said.
Hudson is one of the first to apply for federal aid at Davidson County Community Action, an agency that then refers clients to Community Link, a state agency based in Charlotte.
"There are a lot of strings attached to the money," explained Charles Holloway, the executive director at Davidson County Community Action. "In order for us to get it online, we've been working almost day and night to get this in line."
Holloway said the details with Community Link are still being worked out, but the agency hopes to help hundreds of renters.
"It's peaceful. It's a house for a change. I usually stay in apartments, but I finally got a house and I'd like to keep it," said Hudson.
The money, which can help with rent payments for up to 18 months, is available for people who are at risk of losing their rental homes because of sudden loss of income due to either being laid off or being forced out of work by a major illness.
Davidson is one of five counties in North Carolina chosen to have access to the money, which comes from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act.
Tammy Hudson said she felt her prayers had been answered when she learned of the money.
"When you can pay your bills on time, that's peace, and all of a sudden, we just got laid off," she said.
Hudson recently lost her job and hasn't yet been able to find another full-time position. Her daughter and granddaughter live with her, and the family is behind on rent and close to eviction.
"It's hard right now, and when you have kids and grandkids, you want the best for them. You don't want to keep moving them and moving them. I just want to be at peace," she said.
Hudson is one of the first to apply for federal aid at Davidson County Community Action, an agency that then refers clients to Community Link, a state agency based in Charlotte.
"There are a lot of strings attached to the money," explained Charles Holloway, the executive director at Davidson County Community Action. "In order for us to get it online, we've been working almost day and night to get this in line."
Holloway said the details with Community Link are still being worked out, but the agency hopes to help hundreds of renters.
"It's peaceful. It's a house for a change. I usually stay in apartments, but I finally got a house and I'd like to keep it," said Hudson.
