PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Financially challenged Burlington County residents looking for housing and utility assistance can get help at a free event this Monday.
When residents attend the Burlington County Housing and Utility Assistance Fair Monday, they will not only receive information, but they'll get in-person experts helping complete applications and fill out forms for aid.'
"This is the first time in New Jersey that a fair of this kind has happened," said Burlington County Human Services Department Director Shirla Simpson.
She said more than a dozen local and county agencies, as well as state representatives, will be under one roof, "helping people who might otherwise get intimidated or frustrated when applying for help on their own."
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"It’s done in a way so you hopefully don’t embarrass people. You make it comfortable for them, easy use, easy to access," she added.
"They're going to be asked what kind of assistance they need, or if they just want to peruse all the tables to find out what's available, that's an option for them, too. But if they specifically need some type of assistance, where it be utilities or mortgage or rental assistance, they'll be directed to what the best options are available to them.”
Rental assistance programs, as well as mortgage and utility plans, are available for enrollment. Both will help households financially impacted by the pandemic with back and future rent or mortgage payments.
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There are many programs available as well as help for the disabled and homeless.
"We want to see a family assisted," Simpson added.
"We want to see people continue to stay in their home and have their kids remain in their school system. We want to link them to services if they need food or other assistance."
The fair begins Monday afternoon at the Burlington County Human Services Building in Westhampton.
Proof of vaccine isn't mandatory, but masks are required, and if you need a COVID-19 vaccine, someone will be there to help get that process rolling.
