The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted at its January 4 regular meeting to approve three resolutions related to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The board accepted a $15 million award from the U.S. Treasury to fund the fourth round of the program, and also renewed the contracts for the existing program administrators and software provider.

This brings the county’s total figure up to $39 million received dating back to July of 2021. This most recent round is expected to last through July of 2023.

ERAP is a national program that assists counties, cities, and towns with rental and utility assistance for residents in need. In Henry County it is administered by the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network (GMEN) in collaboration with Curry Davis & Associates. County officials say that their excellence in this capacity has drawn national attention and is a large reason federal funding has continued.

“Our model is superior in the nation,” said Karen Curry Davis, who presented at the meeting. “Other states have modeled after Henry County.”

The innovation and efficiency of GMEN was highlighted during the discussion at the meeting

“GMEN has completed each of the three rounds four to seven weeks prior to the federal deadline,” said county financial services director David Smith, meaning that no dollar has gone unspent and refunded to Washington.

The biggest topic of conversation among commissioners surrounded the integration of local nonprofits as service providers under Henry ERAP.

“Whenever there’s an opportunity for local nonprofits to be involved in the economic development of Henry County, we need to open those doors and make it happen,” said District 4 Commissioner Vivian Thomas.

Smith noted that it is difficult to do so directly, citing concerns around duplication of services, possible delays, and a complication of reporting to the Treasury Department. However, he presented a possible alternative that would allay these concerns while also bringing nonprofits into the process.

“One of my proposals is that we utilize approximately $2.8 million in fund balance … to determine which nonprofits are both capable as well as competent to provide [complementary] assistance,” he said.

Smith said that he plans to return before the board in the future to elaborate on this proposal. In the meantime, GMEN has the go ahead to administer the disbursement of the $15 million and continue providing a much-needed service to Henry residents in need. 

For more on the ERAP program or for those looking to access the application portal, head to www.henryerap.org.