Saint Vincent de Paul reports $40,000 city grant funded rent-assistance disbursed in $500 payments; agency saw $340,000 in assistance across funders

Medford — Saint Vincent de Paul informed the council on June 4 that a $40,000 city grant was fully expended between August 2024 and April 2025, mostly in $500 rent‑assistance payments to help households avoid an eviction trajectory.

Details from the report Jay Stockton, a volunteer grant writer with Saint Vincent de Paul, said the organization’s rent‑assistance practice typically provides $500 of help every 24 months per household, designed to plug short‑term gaps caused by car repairs, medical bills or other shocks. Stockton said the $40,000 city grant was distributed under that policy and helped families remain housed.

Scope of need and operational notes Stockton told the council that across all funding sources Saint Vincent de Paul expended about $340,000 in rent assistance between August 2024 and April 2025, underlining high demand. He noted the organization is all‑volunteer with roughly 230 volunteers and that its thrift‑store revenue covers overhead, allowing grants and donations to be committed entirely to client services.

Council reaction and questions Councilors asked about the typical use of the $500 payments and Stockton said most are used to satisfy 72‑hour notices and similar imminent eviction situations and that payments are made directly to landlords after casework and negotiation. No council action was taken; the presentation served as an update and request for ongoing collaboration.