Oswego County Legislature Passes Rental Assistance Resolution

OSWEGO COUNTY – Discussions included a Renters Benefit Grant that would support landlords during the financial crunch resulting from the pandemic, along with mental health services for the Central Square School District at the Oswego County Legislature’s monthly meeting yesterday, Thursday, July 9.

Oswego County was awarded $600,000 from New York State Housing Finance Agency, the county then creating the New York State HOME Program Fund, awarding veterans with $265,084 toward housing.

Legislator Tim Stahl put forth a resolution requesting $364,916 be implemented toward a temporary NYS HOME Local Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA ) to address the rental needs of eligible Oswego County residents experiencing unemployment or financial hardship due to COVID-19.

The grant would assist approximately 75 income eligible households, providing three months of rental assistance for August, September and October of 2020, ending November 5 with the extra funds returning to NYS Housing Finance Agency.

Legislator Marie Shadt raised concerns over the resolutions implementation and its intended purposes for the parties involved.

“I voice my concerns to the committee regarding this. If you ask me, this is a safety net for landlords. There’s a $100 billion package right now; a stimulus package in Washington for renters, landlords and small businesses,” Schadt said. “I see this as nothing more than a landlord’s safety net. I’m sorry. I’m a landlord. Guess what? This is what you signed up for. There’s risk and perils with everything. But this should be directed toward the veterans. I have a serious problem with it, I think it should be tabled.”

The motion to table was seconded by Legislator Thomas Drumm. Motion to table was voted down and the original resolution passed.

Also discussed was the implementation of mental health services in the Central Square School District for the 2020-2021 school year. The services would be established out of the County of Oswego’s Division of Mental Hygiene. The professional service contract for ARISE Child and Family Services, Inc. is not to exceed $30,000.

All resolutions were passed. County Legislature Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month.

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