|
Behind on Housing and Utility Bills amid Pandemic?
Toledo Housing Partnership, Pathway, Inc., receives grant to
help families
TOLEDO, Jan. 27, 2021: As Ohioans continue to struggle with the
health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic,
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio is lending a hand
to Pathway, Inc. as it helps Toledo families pay their
rent, mortgage, and energy bills amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Anthem has given the partnership a $20,000 grant to bolster
efforts to fight housing insecurity.
“This grant gives 8 families in Toledo more time to stabilize
their finances while they recover from the economic impact of
COVID,” said Jay Black, Jr., CEO of Pathway, Inc. “Eleven
months of economic distress have left many local nonprofits with
depleted coffers, making Anthem’s contributions even more
valuable.”
“COVID has destroyed the housing security of thousands of
Ohioans,” added Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. “What
many people do not realize is that each eviction often means an
entire family has lost its home. These Anthem funds will help
local families during their time of critical need.”
The grant is part of a more than $2 million commitment that
Anthem and its Foundation have made to support Ohio communities
and nonprofit organizations on the front lines of the pandemic.
“Addressing housing insecurity remains an ongoing focus for all
of us at Anthem, and we are deeply committed to helping families
in the Toledo area and beyond recover from the pandemic,” said
Dr. Bradley Jackson, Medicaid Medical Director for Anthem
in Ohio. “These are challenging times for everyone, including
Black, Hispanic, and younger Ohioans, which the pandemic has had
an especially harsh impact. Toledo has been especially hard hit
by evictions and it’s up to all of us to get through this crisis
together.”
A survey on housing security by the U.S.
Census estimated that one in 10 Ohioans in early
December was either behind on rent or mortgage payments or had
little to no confidence making next month's payment.
In Ohio, housing insecurity is higher than the national average
– and the outlook is even worse for Black,
Latino, and younger renters. Higher levels of
eviction rates have consistently been
linked to mental health illness or substance use. |
