24 October, 2020
The Town of Hopkinton is announcing a program to
provide partial, temporary support for certain housing costs for qualified residents who have
experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Funding for the
program comes from the Town’s federal CARES Act emergency relief allocation.
The program will provide up to $4,000 to pay up to 50% of qualified rent or mortgage principal
and interest expenses for the months of November and December, 2020, for applicants who
meet guidelines. Applicants need to demonstrate at least a 20% loss in income during the
COVID-19 emergency, or show income loss from the suspension of the Hopkinton senior
property tax workoff program.
Funding is available for households that are below 80% of the median area household income,
with specific amounts by family size identified in the application package. Applicants must also
have a maximum of $20,000 in financial and investment assets for an individual and $30,000 for a
household of two or more.
For renters, qualified expenses include rent, unless that rent is already being paid by another
government program. For homeowners, qualifying expenses include mortgage principal and
interest only. Property taxes, insurance, and utilities are specifically excluded under federal
guidelines governing the use of program funding.
“COVID-19 continues to impact our community, including ongoing economic hardship for many
who have lost jobs or income, said Town Manager Norman Khumalo. “The Town has set aside a
portion of its CARES Act funding to provide this relief opportunity in an effort consistent with the
Town Charter’s focus on equity and inclusion.”
According to Town Chief Financial Officer Tim O’Leary: “The Town is committed to reviewing
and approving applications quickly, with an application deadline of November 10, and with a
goal of getting needed relief into the hands of residents in need by late November.”
Application form and more information are available here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jX3gpz-9aasZi31L9tHgiWt_0FBbFTZN/view
