MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Rising rent, along with inflation and high gas prices, can be tough for families on tight budgets. It’s leaving some tenants concerned about whether they’ll be able to pay their rent next month.

What You Need To Know

  • Throughout the pandemic Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families has helped Butler County residents with rental and utilities assistance

  • It's made possible through over $20 million in funding from the federal government

  • So far they've helped over 2,200 residents and used over $12 million of the funding

  • Residents who have received the assistance say it has helped them in a major way

Jason Schomaker has been in search of a retail management job for a while now. He's been out of work since injuring himself on the job nearly a year ago. And then he got COVID.

“Having COVID you can’t obviously go in for a job interview and those jobs need to be filled pretty quickly, so unfortunately I lost that opportunity,” said Schomaker.

A problem with his truck's transmission is making it even more challenging for him to get around. Getting to and from work would be a challenge for him without reliable transportation.

“I’m hoping to have it rebuilt,” he said. “I’ve got friends who can do it, but it takes money, which obviously I don’t have the money to rebuild it right now.”

No job and unreliable transportation has made it challenging to pay his rent, especially with his rent going up nearly $25 a month. 

“Sold a lot of my stuff to just try to make ends meet,” he said. “I’ve lost a lot of stuff through all this.”

Having exhausted all his options, he reached out to Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families, better known as SELF. 

It’s a social service in Butler County that is providing rental and utilities assistance to residents in need during the pandemic. Butler County received more than $20 million from the federal government to fund the program. 

“It’s a huge weight off your shoulders and off your chest,” he said. “You can breathe again.”

Schomaker is one of more than 2,200 Butler County residents to receive help. So far, the county has spent over $12 million to help cover the cost of rent and utilities.

The need for help has increased, with close to 50 people on the waiting list to receive assistance. Despite not having a job just yet, Schomaker says he’s grateful to still have a place to live. 

“At least I have a roof over my head, a shower, and a place to lay my head at night, sleep and make dinner,” he said. “At least I’ve got that security in my life.”

For more information on how to get assistance, click here.