LRRC to Award Mortgage Assistance to Eligible Lakewood Residents
Because the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant housing hardship for households across Lakewood Township, homeowners are experiencing difficulties making their mortgage and tax payments. The prospect of foreclosure has become a frightening reality, with the lowest-income families being hit the hardest.
The LRRC has been awarded funding to help Lakewood Township homeowners facing housing insecurity because of the COVID-19 pandemic through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has allocated funds to assist households impacted by the pandemic.
Sarah Sternbach, director of the LRRC (Lakewood Resource & Referral Center), a social services organization that assists more than 11,000 Ocean County households each year, announced that the LRRC will be administering one-time grants to Lakewood Township households affected by COVID-19 to help make their mortgage payments. Completed applications with all supporting documentation must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Up to three months of mortgage payments may be awarded; however, eligibility is not a guarantee of funding. Residents of Lakewood Township who own the home they are living in and whose taxable income does not exceed a predetermined amount are eligible. In addition, the household must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
1. Had a decrease in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic; or
2. Paid out-of-pocket for a household member to receive mental health services from a licensed mental health professional from March 1, 2020; or
3. Is a spouse or tax dependent of someone who died from COVID-19.
If eligible applications exceed available funding, an independent auditor will conduct a lottery to choose which applications to award. All applications, documentation, and awards will be kept strictly confidential.
Sternbach said, “Tremendous thanks go to Mayor Ray Coles, the Lakewood Township Committeemen, and Lakewood Township’s Department of Community Development for making this program possible. We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with Lakewood Township to provide direct assistance to homeowners struggling as a result of the pandemic.”
Apply online at arpam.lrrcenter.org. or download a paper application at bit.ly/arpamlt that can be mailed or delivered with all supporting documentation to the LRRC, 212 Second Street, Suite 204, Lakewood. For questions, call 732-942-9292.
About the LRRC: The LRRC provides comprehensive social service information, referrals, counseling, community education, and assistance in navigating both government and private-sector programs. For more information, to donate, or to be added to their mailing list to receive valuable tips and special program announcements, visit www.lrrcenter.org.