In 2021 The Bridge Fund of Westchester prepared for an upswing in demand for eviction prevention services. We continued our fight against the effects of COVID-19 by being proactive and responsive to our client needs. Our working poor clients are increasingly at risk of long-term unemployment and underemployment, food insecurity and increased rental arrears, amongst a series of other challenges.

Simultaneously, we prepared for the higher risk of more evictions we were anticipating once the Federal rent moratorium concluded. We tightened processes, increased communication with county government and community partners, and hired staff to help us navigate the increased workload.

Throughout the year the program received 3,200 requests for assistance through our primary programming. All were able to utilize at least one of The Bridge Fund services. Importantly, 536 households were stabilized in their threatened housing or were helped to move to more affordable homes, of these households 352 were assisted with a onetime grant or loan.

All households received financial assistance to address rental arrears, and/or short-term case management and budget counseling to resolve their immediate crisis. These households included 744 individuals, of which 263 were children. Additionally, 94 households, inclusive of 244 individuals were helped with utility assistance.

There were an additional nearly 1,000 requests for assistance through our share of the Yonkers Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Y-ERAP). This program was designed to assist low to moderate income Yonkers residents who had an increase in expenses or a decrease in income due to the pandemic shutdowns hold onto their housing. In 2021, the program assisted 59 working poor households with nearly $650,000 in financial aid. This program functions separately from the day-to-day programming. However, it continues to deliver our core values of short-term case management and budget counseling to prevent homelessness.

As we enter 2022, we continue our preparation for the aftermath of the pandemic. The courts have begun to pursue pre-pandemic cases and we are working diligently to keep hard working Westchester residents in their homes. We are committed to making 2022 a year of recovery and resilience.