text: The Tennessee Community CARES Program has awarded Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise a $1 million grant to provide rental and mortgage relief for households impacted by COVID-19.
  The funds will be used to assist households that are behind on rent or mortgage payments due to a loss of income related to COVID-19. This program will serve Bledsoe, Bradley, Marion, Grundy, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie and Hamilton counties.
  The Tennessee Department of Human Services, along with Gov. Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group, created the Tennessee Community CARES Program to invest $150 million in efforts to address health and economic needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  The state’s Financial Stimulus Accountability Group, a bipartisan group that oversees the distribution of federal and state dollars to local governments, approved the funding. Partnering nonprofits administer the grant dollars. CNE’s partner in administering the fund is United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
  CNE will also continue its partnership with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, local attorneys and Southern Adventist University to provide free legal assistance to those facing eviction during the COVID-19 crisis and optional case management to assist with household needs.
  Delinquent payments from no earlier than March 1, 2020, are eligible; proof of a COVID-related loss of income is required. Households impacted and in need of assistance should do one of the following:
  Call 423 756-6271
  Relief resources will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis for households that complete the applications and meet eligibility criteria.
  Source: Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise