El Centro to disperse COVID-19 relief funds to residents

Lorain residents can apply for COVID-19 relief funds of up to $500 from El Centro De Servicios Soc, 2800 Pearl Ave. in Lorain.

The funds are from a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the city of Lorain, Building, Housing and Planning Department.

With $150,000 in grants,

Victor Leandry, executive director of El Centro, said he hopes to help 250 people.

“We’re very excited to administer these funds to people who need them in Lorain,” Leandry said.

The funds are open to any one who meet the requirements, he said.

“Because we are a Latino organization, people think our resources aren’t for them,” Leandry said. “But they are; we’re for everyone. Anyone who meets the requirements, can apply for the funds.”

Thelma Cruz, director of community health and supportive services of El Centro, said the requirements include: must live in the city of Lorain; show evidence of loss of work or cut hours as a direct result of COVID-19; and the fund must be used directly toward rent, mortgage or utilities, including water bills.

“Water bills are hard to find aid for, so we’re excited to be able to provide for that,” Cruz said.

Also Cruz said El Centro screens by phone before people can pick up an application for the relief funding. Prospective applicants must call the El Centro main line at 440-277-8235.

If applicants meet the criteria, they can pick up an application, which is in English and Spanish at El Centro from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

“Everyone is going through a really hard time right now,” Leandry said. “We have no idea when we will be normal again. People need to pay attention to COVID-19. Our locals who work at restaurants, bartenders and those who work in the public, are seeing a different income than they used to rely on.”

Leandry said he, Cruz and Maria Carrion, head of community development at EL Centro, will look for help.

“We’re going to search for all the grants we apply for,” he said. “We still have our food pantry, financial literacy classes and English classes. I just want people to know that anyone who meets the requirements and is behind on their rent, mortgage or utility bills, can apply. And if we can’t cover it all, we will refer them to other services if we can.”