County rental aid program Year 1: What's the impact?

Greene County's efforts to distribute federal rental assistance funds have hit the one-year mark, and nearly 2,000 local households have benefited.

The county, to date, has issued $7.7 million in Emergency Rental Assistance funds to 1,969 local households, according to a news release.

“We are grateful for our community partners and the role they each played in getting available resources into the hands of those who needed them most,” Greene County Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon said in the release. “We are very pleased with the partnership and salute each of these vital community organizations.”

Greene County received $8.7 million from the U.S. Treasury Department during the first round of ERA funding. Another $6.9 million came to the county in a second round. The county has distributed more than 90% of the first-round funds, with 15% of the second round paid out. Greene County Budget Officer Jeff Scott said in the release that the county has distributed its first round of ERA funds 1.5 times faster than its national peers participating in the program.

More than $12.3 million is expected to be available for Greene County residents in need this year, according to the release. The county is working with the Ozarks Area Community Action Corp., Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, Council of Churches of the Ozarks and The Salvation Army on the effort.

The funds are earmarked to assist financially at-risk individuals in the community with rent and utilities, Springfield Business Journal previously reported.