Midwest City awarded grants for housing assistance program

Funds will be used to assist low- and moderate-income residents financially impacted by coronavirus

By Jeff Harrison
Managing Editor

Midwest City will receive federal grants to help residents financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city was awarded $237,620 in Community Development Block Grant funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act on March 27.

Terri Craft, grants manager for Midwest City, said the funds will be used for a housing stability assistance program. Money can be used to assist with delinquent utility bills, rent or mortgage payments. Those payments would be made directly to the utility company, landlord or mortgage company.

The assistance program will be open to residents with low and moderate income who have been impacted by the virus through job loss, furlough, or another related event.

The Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Housing and Community Development held a teleconference meeting April 20 and recommended the housing stability assistance program. Midwest City conducted two public meetings and provided public notice.

The city council approved the recommendation at a May 12 meeting.

Craft said they are working with Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma/Canadian Counties to manage the program. The non-profit organization has an office in the Neighborhoods in Action Center in Midwest City.

The City of Oklahoma City is also creating a similar plan.

Craft said she hopes the assistance program will be available early this month.