With voiced lack of support, microloan rent relief program dies without a vote

Clockwise from top left, Councilor Laura Hainey, Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley and Councilors Jeremy Hutchinson and Chris Rice (Rochesternh.net screen capture)

ROCHESTER - A proposal to create a $500,000 microloan program to aid renters harmed financially by COVID-19-related layoffs got little support at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The proposal was brought forward by Councilor Jeremy Hutchinson - a longtime homeless advocate - and first-term council members Palana Belken and Chris Rice.

The vote came moments after City Manager Blaine Cox explained that after talking with city staff it was determined Rochester's Welfare Department was fully equipped and legally required to help residents in need.

While the three proponents questioned whether city staff had fully investigated the need, others on the council reasoned that rather than saddle renters in dire financial straits with another loan, a grant from the Welfare Department made more sense.

Hutchinson, however, said he feared many of those - perhaps out of work for the first time - would not realize that rent assistance was available from the welfare department.

Rice said he had taken several phone calls from residents who wanted to see such a program and wanted clarification on how to secure the funding.

"They think this program is a necessity, and we shouldn't just let it blow in the wind," he said.

But several councilors including Laura Hainey said that she had concerns over making loans to folks who probably don't have the ability to pay it back.

"This would put them in more hardship by loaning them money knowing they probably can't pay them back," said Hainey. "Rather why not let them go to welfare and they don't have to pay it back."

Cox assured the council that Welfare Director Todd Marsh would have his ear to the ground on possible need and that if come July there was a need, it would be met.

"We're legally obligated to take care of those folks, we have the statutory authority and it's up to the city to pay those needs," Cox said.

No motion was made to vote on the measure.