Summit County Cares Housing and Utility Assistance

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Summit County Cares is a nationally recognized rent, mortgage, and utility assistance program that delivered $68 million in assistance to over 12,700 unique households from July 2020 to December 2022. The Summit County Executive’s Office leveraged funds from the CARES Act, Emergency Rental Assistance funds, and local sources alongside a host of local organizations including United Way of Summit & Medina and Community Action Akron-Summit to keep thousands of people in their homes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program served overwhelmingly women, people of color, and low-income households. With the comfort of knowing their bills were paid, residents were able to care for their kids, continue their education, or find a new job. Summit County Cares was a community first-aid kit, a direct response to the serious challenges and uncertainty posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was a resounding success for the County and its residents.