Project Amistad offers help for utilities; $3M available in latest round of funding

EL PASO, Texas -- Project Amistad has $3 million in funding to help El Paso renters with their utility bills.

This funding is through the city of El Paso and community impact partners with the utility companies. The program will help renters in the city limits affected directly or indirectly by Covid-19.

Utility assistance includes financial help for up to 12 months of overdue water, gas, or electric bills.

Project Amistad started the program this month and is expected to expire at the end of July.

"We were victims of COVID my husband was in the hospital for two months, and that had a really big financial impact on us my husband stopped working. COVID affected us financially there's no work my husband left his job and what I do is I take care of him," said Connie Ochoa a Project Amistad Utility Assistance Program applicant.

She hopes she will be eligible for Project Amistad's assistance program and encourages those who are in the same situation to apply.

"We can say to the community, come and ask for help because there are resources that can help you, and don't feel like you're alone because we are not alone," Ochoa said.

"If anyone feels that they qualify that they've been financially affected they suffered someone from their family past away from covid they lost their employment because of covid they we're covid positive we encourage them to reach out to us, " said Zaide Echegoyen Project manager at Project Amistad.

If you are interested in applying, visit projectamistad.org.