Housing Board OKs Cash for Crises

Barrington residents who need some assistance because of a family crisis got some help Tuesday night, Jan. 17, from the Housing Board of Trustees.

The board unanimously approved a request for $10,000 from the East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) specifically for Barrington residents. EBCAP is a nonprofit that offers a variety of health and human services to East Bay communities from its Riverside offices.

The money will come from the Spencer Trust, operated by the town for this type of assistance. The Housing Board manages the proceeds from the trust with the approval of the Town Council.

Dennis Roy, CEO of EBCAP, made the request in person. He said the nonprofit will “coordinate this effort with the Barrington Coalition of Community Services and will coordinate all referrals from the coalition.”

Members of the coalition include TAP-IN, Heartworks, East Bay Center Inc., the Senior Center, the Barrington Clergy Association, the public schools, The BAY Team, and EBCAP.

“Highest priority will be given to individuals/families who have suffered a loss of income with the past year,” Roy told the board and in a letter to Town Manager Peter DeAngelis that was forwarded to the Housing Board.

“Second priority will be given to families who may be receiving government supported programs such as food stamps or heating assistance but who are experiencing an unexpected emergency expense such as housing mortgage or rental problems or a family emergency,” Roy said in the letter.

The grant will be designated as the Barrington Fund and could be used for any of the following:

• Loans for emergency rental or mortgage assistance.
• Utility payments, such as heat, light, telephone and water.
• Food purchases when a family is awaiting unemployment insurance, TDI or workers’ compensation payments.
• Child care expenses for someone just returning to work.
• Cost of basic living needs not covered by other programs, including eyeglasses, diapers, baby formula, prescription drugs, shoes, cribs and beds.
• Cash for overdue property taxes.

Eligibility for payments will be determined by:

• Loss of income caused by a lay-off.
• Awaiting TDI or workers’ compensation.
• Proof of emergency expenses.
• Lack of health insurance or limited coverage.
• Eligibility for EBCAP’s heating assistance program.

 Roy said Barrington will receive a report on each expenditure from the fund, including the number of grants, type of assistance and amount of each grant.

The Housing Board approved a similar grant to EBCAP about four years ago, said Richard Staples Jr., a Housing Board member.