In the News

Way Finders, the Springfield based housing agency, received $2 million in federal money that will help 800 to 1,000 Springfield families who’ve lost income in the coronavirus pandemic pay the rent, mortgage or for utilities.

“Keeping people in their homes, or helping you get back in a home if you’ve lost your home,” said President and CEO of Way Finders Peter A. Gagliardi at a Thursday morning news conference with U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield; Mayor Domenic J. Sarno; and the city’s chief development pfficer, Tim Sheehan. “This is key to our mission.”

The grant program will pay up to three months’ rent, mortgage, and utility charges for low to moderate income Springfield residents whose income has been cut by the pandemic public health orders that closed businesses and forced layoffs.

Payments are made to the landlord, mortgage holder or utility.

Keith Fairey, named the next president and CEO of Way Finders following the retirement of Gagliardi June 30, was also at the news conference. It was hosted in the new $16.8 million, 33,000-square-foot headquarters at the site of the former Peter Pan on Main Street in Springfield

The money comes through the U.S. Housing and urban Development and the Community Development Block Grant or CDBG program funded by the three coronarvirus pandemic recovery bills totaling more than $3.3 trillion, Neal said . Neal, the chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee , said Thursday he expects another wave of coronavirus relief money despite the reluctance of some Senate Republicans to move forward.

Neal pointed to the testimony this week of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell who predicted that high unemployment will linger for years.

“We cant sugarcoat it,” Neal said. We just have to acknowledge it and deal with the issue."

He said if people can’t stay in their homes and pay rent, mortgages and utilities then buildings are abandoned.

“That’s how the spiral starts,” Neal said.

Gagliardi said that more than 2,000 households have stepped forward for housing assistance since the pandemic hit in March. of those, about 1,100 are from Springfield, the rest from throughout Hampden and Hampshire counties. The applications continue to come it the rate of 120 to 150 a week, again with half being from Springfield.

In a normal year, there would only be 800 or so applications from through the region. the state has already funded housing programs, he said. The state’s already granted Way Finders more than $400,000 to meet the unexpected need

But Gagliardi said the need will grow as the federal $600 added payment to unemployment insurance is expected to expire next month. A state-imposed moratorium on halting most evictions and foreclosures until August 18 or until 45 days from the lifting of Governor Baker’s declaration of emergency,

“A lot of people are hanging in there now,” he said. “But they are going to be in real trouble soon.”

Neal said he’s optimistic that Congress will extend the $600 payments.

“We’re on it,” he said.

Sheehan said housing is critical to fighting the virus. No one can social distance if they have no where to live that’s safe and hygienic.

Sheehan said Way Finders will work to get money out quickly.

Springfield residents can apply for the funds by completing an assessment at www.wayfinders.org/hcec-assessment or calling 413-233-1600 to complete the assessment on the phone with a Way Finders staff member.

Gagliardi encouraged people to apply saying that income requiremnts are based on the present condition.

“Someone my have been doing very well before, but right now they have no income. We will look at ‘right now'.”