City Urges Community to Apply for COVID-19 Relief Programs

City Urges Community to Take Advantage of COVID-19 Relief Programs

Roseburg OR – The City of Roseburg is encouraging the community to take advantage of COVID-19 relief programs that are set to expire at the end of December. These programs are funded through the state and federal government to assist communities impacted by COVID-19.

“We know that many in our community have suffered financially due to the pandemic,” says City Manager Nikki Messenger. “That’s why we want to remind citizens now that there are programs available, but they are set to expire at the end of December.”

The following programs are currently available, or will be available soon, to qualified residents and businesses.

OHSI – COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Program

The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OHSI) has launched a mortgage relief program to help homeowners at risk of losing their homes due to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Program provides assistance to homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship to help them avoid foreclosure. The program provides a one-time payment directly to mortgage servicers to bring delinquent first-lien mortgage accounts current.

The program eligibility requirement criteria include:

• Became past due on mortgage payments after January 1, 2020.
• Experiences a financial hardship such as job loss, reduced income, high medical costs, disability, death in the family, or divorce.
• Mortgage payment is no more than 45 percent of household monthly income.

More eligibility requirements, along with an FAQ and the application portal, are available on the OHSI website.

Roseburg Salvation Army – Emergency Assistance

The Roseburg Salvation Army is providing a variety of assistance programs for individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19. Some of these programs include rental/mortgage payment assistance, water utility payment assistance, and sewer payment vouchers. Additionally, the Salvation Army provides meals, gas vouchers, and laundry payment assistance for qualifying individuals. In order to receive assistance, individuals must demonstrate that they are impacted by COVID-19. Examples include a doctor’s note, a letter from an employer, or a referral from another partnering organization. For details on the programs offered, please contact Captain Kristy Church at kristy.church@usw.salvationarmy.org or at 541-248-2585.

UCAN – COVID-19 Rent and Utility Relief Credit Program

If your household has been impacted by COVID-19 and your income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, then you may be eligible for rent and utility assistance through United Community Action Network (UCAN). Upon qualification, you may receive up to six months of rental credit support, including past due rent to April 2020. All rent payments will be sent directly to the landlord.

Utility assistance is also available through UCAN for those who qualify. Applicants do not need to have a past-due or shut-off notice from their utility company to qualify. For applications and more information, please go to www.ucancap.org.

Douglas County – COVID-19 Business Funding Program (Coming Soon)

The State of Oregon will be issuing additional Coronavirus Relief Funds, which are to be given to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The grants will be distributed and managed by Douglas County in the coming weeks ahead. Program details, as of this writing, are still being developed. However, if you are a small business in Roseburg that has been impacted by COVID-19, please sign up for alerts from the County. Please email dcinfo@co.douglas.or.us to be added to the COVID Business Funding Program mailing list.

Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce – Business PPE Program (Coming Soon)

The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce will be providing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to businesses. To receive free PPE, businesses must apply through the Chamber’s website and demonstrate that they were financially impacted by COVID-19. The program, as of this writing, is set to launch by mid-December. Applications will become available on the Chamber’s Current News page here. For questions, and to be notified of the program launch, please contact the Chamber at info@roseburgareachamber.org.

For more information, please contact the City at info@cityofroseburg.org or 541-492-6700.