In a city where university students are critical to the economy and rental properties constitute 65% of total housing, the pandemic quickly created an affordable housing crisis for many Pullman residents. Thanks to a $10,000 COVID-19 Response and Recovery grant from Innovia, the Community Action Center was able to support a Housing Solutions Program that provides emergency housing assistance and eviction prevention.
Additional grant dollars from Innovia also have enabled the Center to meet increased demand for emergency food through participation with Pullman Serves It Forward. That partnership leveraged an additional $37,000 in community donations to purchase gift cards from local restaurants to distribute to food bank clients. It demonstrates how the right strategic partnerships can maximize donors’ dollars and amplify their reach, in this case by benefitting both local residents and local businesses.