Millions in relief hanging in the balance

Millions in relief hanging in the balance

Each week.

Madison county commissioner violet edwards secured a 5.2 million dollar grant.

It's to provide emergency money for families struggling to pay rent and utility costs due to the pandemic.

At the same time -- the city of huntsville was awarded six million dollars.

The city has already implemented its program.

However -- the county -- has not.

Tonight -- county commissioners met to discuss the proposed plan in a special session.

Waay31's megan reyna was at that meeting.

She joins us live in downtown huntsville tonight after learning what's stalling the county... and why the timing of getting this program in place is so critical, megan?

Since securing this grant back in january -- violet edwards has been working with non-profits to finalize a plan on how to distribute the funds.

The hope was the commission would vote on her proposed plan back on march third.

That didn't happen.

Still -- edwards call's today's meeting a step in the right direction... even though the future of the program remains in limbo.

Strong says: "we're working on a very important grant for madison county."

A night full of questions... some left unanswered.

But the clock is ticking on helping those in the county affected financially by covid-19.

Right now, county residents are relying on rental assistance from a state-wide program.

At the end of the month -- the state is closing off applications to county residents.

Edwards says: "from my understanding, on march 31st, people will still be able, in the city of huntsville, will be able to get help from the city, but if we don't have a plan in place, people in unincorporated parts of madison county will not be able to get assisted."

So what's the hold up?

The commission is still discussing which non-profits should be involved... how much a family should recieve... and whether or not people living within the city limits should be qualified to apply for funding.

Riddick says: "the intent would have been that the money for the county should have been spent outside the city limit."

Vandiver says: "money that's intended for the county should be spent in the county and money that's intended for the city should be spent in the city."

But commissioner edwards pointed out her district -- district 6's rentership is 52.5 percent..

With a medium income of 31-thousand dollars.

District 4's rentership is 30.4 percent.

Edwards says: "i don't think we ought to swat that district and be like let the city take care of it."

Some madison county residents sitting in on the meeting -- left feeling dissapointed.

Richie says:" we have missed the mark on taking care of those persons that need services.

None of us, none of us asked for covid, but we're all here trying to operate in spite of."

Until all those fine details are sorted out -- it's unclear when the millions of rent relief funds will be distributed.

The county's next meeting is the 17th.

Edwards says: "we have seven days now to go and get these questions answered and prayerfully we can come up with some solution by next week."

If there is a proposal in place by next week - it could be voted on.

But it's unclear as of right now if that'll happen.

Reporting live in hsv mr waay 31 news.