SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Monday, June 29, 2020, Summit County Executive Ilene
Shapiro and Summit County Council passed legislation authorizing $6.5 million in federal
CARES Act, TANF and Title XX funds for Summit County CARES, a mortgage and rental
assistance program coordinated between Summit County Department of Job and Family
Services and United Way of Summit County. A community collaboration with the City of
Akron, Community Action Akron Summit, Battered Women’s Shelter, Fair Housing Contact
Service and Community Legal Aid, this program is designed to help keep Summit County
families and residents housed in the wake of the historic economic recession caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
“Through no fault of their own, Summit County residents are experiencing unprecedented
levels of unemployment, furloughs and pay cuts, leaving many vulnerable to evictions and
foreclosures,” said Executive Shapiro. “The Summit County CARES program will provide
desperately needed housing assistance to our community at a time when too many families are wondering how they will buy groceries, put gas in the car and make the rent or mortgage payment.”
The first application window will be open from July 6 through July 17. Summit County
residents can apply online at www.summitcountycares.org. Individuals who are unable to
complete the application online can call 2-1-1 and an agent will complete an application on
their behalf. Eligible residents will receive up to four months of rent or mortgage payments, or up to $5,000, with the first round of payments expected to be dispersed in late July or early August.
“United Way of Summit County is proud to partner with Summit County to offer a lifeline to
county residents in need of rent and mortgage assistance,” said Jim Mullen, President and CEO of United Way of Summit County. “Our team is experienced in providing housing support to the community and we are ready to act quickly to get assistance to those most in need.”
To be eligible for the program, an individual must meet the following requirements:
- A resident of Summit County;
- Pay rent and have a lease agreement or a mortgage;
- Live in a household that was financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Have an unpaid rent or mortgage balance; AND
- Have countable income not in excess of 300% Federal Poverty Limit.
Individuals who indicate an eviction process has started against them will be fast tracked through the application process and will be connected to Fair Housing and Community Legal Aid as necessary. Following the initial application window, funding will be evaluated and applications may be open every month through November 2020 for a period of up to ten business days.
