April 9, 2024
Last year saw the end of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and so was year of continual change. As we began the year working with the State of Wyoming, we helped more than 1600 households retain and/or find stable housing through the ERAP program. By June, this program ended abruptly forcing us to quickly adapt and find a new path for our housing clients.
Dear Laramigos,
Last year saw the end of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and so was year of continual change. As we began the year working with the State of Wyoming, we helped more than 1600 households retain and/or find stable housing through the ERAP program. By June, this program ended abruptly forcing us to quickly adapt and find a new path for our housing clients.
In total, the ERAP program brought in nearly $7.5 million in housing aid over its roughly two-year existence. Established as a component of the CARES act, this program meant financial relief for thousands of our neighbors who had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, lost jobs, and were dealing with outstanding medical debt due to illness. Locally, this also helped mitigate the housing shortage we have been dealing with in Laramie for years prior to the pandemic era. As we wrapped up this work in 2023 without the ERAP program, we felt the effects daily as we saw numerous clients come to us with eviction notices in hand. It is clear that many of the issues without economy have only been exacerbated.
In our pantry, we have continued to maximize the usage of the 2022 expansion. Working with the Wyoming Food Bank, we arranged to have fresh produce delivered weekly. Previously, our standard delivery cycle only allowed one truck per month. We now receive thousands of pounds of produce and other items per week, a feat only available to us with the completion of our expansion and new walk-in coolers.
As we begin 2024, we do so with hope and gratitude. Our ability to continue to serve the community over the past 35 years is only possible due to the continued support we have received from you, our donors and community. We remain neighbors helping neighbors and look forward to working with you this year.
Sincerely,
Joshua Watanabe, PMP Executive Director, Laramie Interfaith
See Financial Breakdown and full report here.
As our mission continues, we will have more and more insight into what we strive for in the Laramie community. Stay tuned to what we are up too with more of our press releases:
