(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting last week, received a monthly report for the months of December 2024 and January 2025, from Cass County Community Services Director/Mental Health Advocate, Debbie Schuler. She mentioned they had six claims for General Relief totaling $3,500.

With regard to the rental payments her office assisted with, Schuler said…

Some of the rents paid were after SIRHA payments were made. SIRHA is the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, which provides rent assistance or rent subsidies to low income individuals, families, elderly or disabled who meet program guidelines. Schuler said SIRHA -which is federal money – is currently not accepting any new vouchers for assistance because they are out of money.

Supervisor Wendy Richter said having people on a wait list is ‘not a bad thing,” at least at this point in time.

With regard to the Mental Health aspect of her Department, Debbie Schuler said she attended six meetings in December, with 49 individuals under a court order, and three new commitments. She attended three initial hearings. January was a very busy month for the General Relief Department, Schuler said, with 143 individuals presenting to the office for rent and utility assistance (water and sewer). There is currently a moratorium in effect for electricity and gas, which cannot be shut-off during the winter, but water and sewer is not included in that moratorium.

The Supervisors last week, also received a monthly report from Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, for the quarter ending December, 2024.