The Washington County Board of Supervisors heard the quarterly report from Hawkeye Area Community Action Program staff on the county’s General Assistance. 

HACAP Washington County Operations Director RenElla Crawford gave the report, “Well my report is very brief, for the third quarter for this year, we took one application that was for rental assistance, and it was approved. Last quarter I did mention that I do get a lot of phone calls about funeral assistance. I have one yet that has applied, and they do not, with visiting with them on the phone and getting information, they do not qualify. The guidelines are so strict. The other thing is that we have had an increase in our office for rental assistance.” 

Discussion was had on how they could possibly help more people with the funds that are available, even with the strict requirements for assistance. Crawford will be gathering information from neighboring counties on their poverty level requirements and will be bringing it back to the board for consideration. 

The Supervisors approved raising the poverty guidelines for Veterans Assistance at this meeting to 200% in order to potentially help more seeking assistance.