PROVIDENCE — Hurricane Maria evacuees currently displaced in Florida will be getting much-needed financial assistance from a Rhode Island-based nonprofit starting Tuesday.
Capital Good Fund said that JPMorgan Chase and The Miami Foundation jointly invested $230,000 in the program to help evacuees get back on their feet after the Category 5 hurricane devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in September. The storm killed more than 100 people and left thousands of residents homeless with little to no resources.
According to a nonprofit, all evacuees who relocated to Florida due to Hurricane Maria will be able to gain low-interest loans, pending an expedited review, to help with “essential expenses,” such as a security deposit on a new home or to buy a vehicle.
Capital Good Fund, founded by CEO Andy Posner, will also provide evacuees referrals to connect them with housing authorities, access to public benefits, job search and training programs and other support services.
“Through this program, we will reach these families before they resort to predatory loans, and ensure that they receive the financial and other support they need to move from the devastation and recover to the stability that is a prerequisite to upward mobility and happiness,” Posner said in a statement.
Evacuees can find additional information and apply for assistance at goodfund.us/maria.
James Bessette is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Research@PBN.com.
