Springfield rental assistance will be gone in 30 days

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — The Springfield Urban League (SUL) is expecting to give out the remaining $200,000 in their rental assistance program within the next 30 days.

This announcement comes two weeks after they stopped accepting applications for the program.

SUL Chief Financial Officer Beverly Gibson said they were expecting a lot of applications, but obviously, the need for assistance far outweighs the funds available.

In all, the SUL has paid out roughly $200,000 to 289 applicants, but they have received close to 650 applications totals.

Thus far, distributing the rental assistance has taken more than six months.

Gibson said it takes a while for applications to be processed and to get all paperwork in electronically during a pandemic.

But, she said the need for assistance is there.

"What this just reflects is need within the community to have assistance during this time because of the impact with the closures and the job reduction and the losses because of the pandemic,” Gibson said.

Gibson said the first $200,000 was paid out to 289 people, but the next allotment should take care of roughly 300 people and will be distributed within the next 30 days.

Gibson said in 20 years at the SUL, she has never seen a need like this — not just for rental assistance, but for help with food, shelter, and utilities, too.

Gibson said the SUL is accepting donations to help assist them with providing funds to families.

So far this year, they have received roughly $400,000 in donations.