LACEY, Wash. — Between closed companies, cut hours and sky-high childcare costs, COVID-19 has carried with it challenges countless families can relate to.
Economic development coordinator George Smith said the City of Lacey knew something needed to be done.
On Oct. 15, Lacey City Council voted to give $779,050 to families hit hard by the pandemic.
“We suspect that we probably have 20 to 30 percent of the families, of the households in Lacey, that would likely benefit from this, so we’re talking about thousands of people, our friends and our neighbors,” said Smith.
The money comes from a second round of the federal CARES Act. The cash is funneled through the state to the city.
Lacey partnered with the Community Action Council to make sure all the money goes to people in need.
Families eligible must live within Lacey city limits, make about 60 percent of the area’s median income and have been directly impacted by COVID-19.
“We’ve definitely had an increase in clients coming to us saying, ‘I never thought I’d be in a position to have to ask for help or that I couldn’t pay my rent or that I would be concerned about how to put food on the table or support my family,’” said Kirsten York, director of family aervices at Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties.
The cash will cover an array of needs.
Up to $400,000 will pay for utility bills, including water, sewer and electric bills; $100,000 will cover childcare costs; about $30,000 will pay for internet access for kids learning remotely. The remaining $200,000-plus will fund mortgage and rental assistance.
“If ever there has been a time where people find themselves in a situation that is not a failing on their part, they didn’t make bad decisions, they weren’t lazy, they weren’t foolish, they were doing all of the right things and the rug got pulled out from under them from this worldwide pandemic… It’s not your fault this happened, and that’s why this assistance is available,” said Smith.
People who want to apply can call the Community Action Council at 360-438-1100.