74-year-old Thomas Fair is like millions of Americans living on a fixed income. The college-educated veteran has a retirement plan but still works as a part-time handy man to make ends meet.
When something breaks in a customer’s home, Thomas usually gets a call for help. However, when the pandemic hit, everything changed.
“At this point, I knew I was going to have some difficulty,” Thomas said. “No one wants you to come into their home and I didn’t want to go into homes where I could possibly catch the virus.”
The situation put Thomas in a bad spot.
Without the extra income, Thomas couldn’t pay his bills.
Eventually, he fell behind on rent.
“I had to make the choice of either paying my rent or paying utilities,” Thomas said. “That was upsetting. The money wasn’t there to cover all of the expenses. I needed some help.”
That’s when Thomas contacted SDC.
Thanks to SDC’s Milwaukee Rental Assistance Program (MRAP), Thomas received money that allowed him to avoid eviction and pay rent owed.
Since the start of the pandemic, SDC has distributed more than 16 million dollars to help thousands of Milwaukee County residents avoid eviction and stay in their homes. MRAP provided financial assistance for rent and security deposits as long as the renter’s hardship was a result of the pandemic.
Not only did Thomas receive rental assistance, SDC also helped Thomas with FoodShare benefits and financial coaching.
“SDC is a God-send,” Thomas said. “ I need to be in a healthy situation. SDC gave me relief so I can go on. I have a grandson. I have a son with four kids and I want to be here for them.”
This is nice that you help residents God bless y’all.
Thanks so much for help.
To whom it may concern,
We was like to take the opportunity to think SDC for being committed and helping the public during this time of the pandemic. We especially will like to thank SDC for helping us. Currently we have three small children under six years of age and are in need of financial help with pain both utilities and rent as we were when the pandemic first hit. Due to sdc’s programs we were able to remain in our home up until now. Therefore we would like to again take the opportunity to thank SDC and the City of Milwaukee for providing ways of relief to us during this pandemic. Thanks again and God bless!
It’s really nice to have SDC to turn to,and getting the help that is needed to pay rent.also energy assistance to pay for heat and lights,also food.now I don’t have to worry about how I can pay my rent and not be homeless.I did sign up for the rent assistance cause I do need help in paying my rent,thank you in advance SDC for helping me.
Thank you SDC for your commitment to the people of the communities all over. What you have been doing does not go unnoticed and have help many families such as mine. Thank you ALL and God Bless each of you.
May GOD continue to bless SDC so that SDC can continue to bless hundreds, maybe even thousands of the American people that has lost their jobs and have been affected by the pandemic physically,Mentally, and emotionally and for some maybe self respect but by the grace of The Lord,GOD of Host all things are possible even making ends meet throughout this pandemic and moving forward 🙏😇
I love it