This Gastonia group has gotten a record number of requests for rental assistance
Now the ministry will be working to fill those needs without additional funding from the Department of Social Services, which has been out of funds for Rent Assistance since November, according to the county.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding provided to CAM and other organizations through DSS was awarded to the county staring in 2021 to relieve the financial hardship caused by the pandemic, and on Nov. 19, the last of that funding was exhausted, county spokesman Adam Gaub said.
While tax return season has slowed the flow of applications in February, Wheeler said she expects the numbers to increase again throughout the year.
In 2023, Leah Hedgpath, the executive director of Dallas High Shoals Christian Ministry, said she had seen more of her clients go from having homes and vehicles to living on the streets than ever before.
Hedgpath said at the time that the lack of access to rent assistance in the area in combination with other hurdles related to finding affordable housing was contributing to the problem.
This year, CAM has seen large increases in call volume from residents all over Gaston County, Wheeler said. CAM only assists residents of Gastonia and in addition to turning those outside of the city away, the organization has also had to turn people away with rent issues that are simply too large.
The team is currently looking to raise awareness about the rising cost of living and find solutions to continue helping Gastonia residents to the fullest, she said.
According to the North Carolina Housing Coalition's 2025 report, Gastonia is one of the North Carolina cities with the highest fair market rent rates. HUD defines fair market rent as the cost to rent a moderately priced dwelling unit in a designated market.
The NCHC report listed Gastonia's fair market rent alongside Charlotte and Concord at $1,824 per month.
Out of the 409 applications for rent assistance submitted to CAM in January, 60 were from people who had never applied before, which Wheeler said is indicative of the state of rent prices and overall economic struggles in the area.
Wheeler said CAM continues to partner with other groups in the area to find assistance for those living outside of Gastonia, but the options are limited and could become scarce moving further into the year with less available funding.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Crisis Assistance Ministry in Gastonia, NC, provides rental assistance
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