The City and Borough of Juneau assembly voted to add $700,000 to the Household and Individual Assistance programs Thursday night. They also agreed to tighten up the eligibility criteria.
Under the new rules, lower-income people are prioritized, and people who have already received COVID-19 CBJ Housing Assistance will be excluded from receiving additional assistance.
CBJ Finance Committee to consider expanding relief programs
The money moved to the program was originally slated for COVID-19 testing equipment at Bartlett Regional Hospital.
Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly member Loren Jones both voted against the change, pointing out that spending the last of the federal CARES money on individual assistance programs could limit the city’s finances in the future.
All housing and most personal assistance grants processed
“It’s tough to say no to this. But, I’d like to see us wait,” Weldon said, noting that state and federal lawmakers are still discussing COVID-19 relief efforts.
• Contact Dana Zigmund at dana.zigmund@juneauempire.com or (907)308-4891.
