BELTON, Texas — On Monday, Sept. 17, the City of Belton announced that the city council had passed a resolution to redirect thousands of dollars in federal COVID-19 recovery funds to a Central Texas nonprofit to help residents with rent and utility payments.
The $90,000 in federal COVID-19 recovery funds will be allocated to the United Way of Central Texas to ensure all $5.68 million in federal funds that were allocated to the City of Belton from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
"I think our city council has been exemplary in how they've approached spending those federal funds," said Paul Romer, a spokesperson for the City of Belton. "I think it's what those funds are really meant for."
"Even though there's not a pandemic or a tornado, just life is happening, and because life is happening, you just need a little bit extra because there's extra coming out of your check on a regular for car insurance, health insurance, gas, groceries, rent, mortgage, like all of those things have increased," said Veshell Greene, the interim president, CEO of United Way of Central Texas.
Greene said the financial needs haven't slowed down. The top three things the non-profit said people call about is assistance with mortgage or rent, assistance with utilities and where are the food pantries are located.
"There's nothing that makes you happier than to be able to provide that again, sense of relief to that homeowner or that person that's working and trying to make it and it's just a little tough," Greene added.
Belton's offerings will be able to assist with some of the financial stress that's been building on.
"It's not an income-based program, but you have to show that there's a need," Greene added. "These are for people that are really living paycheck to paycheck."
According to the city, 98% of the funds had been spent or put towards various programs as of mid-August. They have an end-of-year deadline to use up all the funds and have even made their own adjustments to other city programs and created a subcommittee to determine the best way to use the funds.
A report on the steps recommended will be presented at the Oct. 22 city council meeting.
This isn't the first time the Belton City Council has redirected funds to assist residents with rent and utility payments, however. In April 2022, $300,000 was allocated to the Central Texas nonprofit, offering households up to $3,000 to assist with paying for expenses like utilities, internet, public transportation and more.
Other uses of the ARPA federal funds included $100,000 towards "delinquent city utility bills," $300,000 in food assistance and $850,000 in small business grants, according to the city.
"What I can say is the money goes quick, so if somebody is in Belton and they need that assistance, you need to start now because it will go fast," Romer added.
Click here to apply for assistance on the United Way of Central Texas website.
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