Reading Raises $20K For Displaced Apartment Residents

READING, MA — Fundraising efforts have raised $20,000 for residents displaced from the George Washington Apartments.

That allows for a $500 distribution to each of the 39 units displaced by flooding and subsequent electrical damage caused by heavy rain in July.

The Salvation Army also provided $50,000 in direct support for housing costs over the past six weeks.

"This has been a very complex situation, requiring all the aforementioned parties to work creatively together to solve a problem never seen before in the area," according to a statement on the town website. "Sadly, another nearby community recently needed to evacuate a structurally unsafe housing complex, and now face similar housing challenges."

Many residents of the apartments at 625 Main Street have found permanent or temporary housing with the assistance of Metro Housing Boston. There are still about a dozen residents who have not found alternate housing, according to the town.

These residents will lose their housing after Aug. 30. Metro Housing Boston will continue to work with these residents to secure alternate housing, including at homeless shelters, while the apartment complex is repaired.

For displaced residents in need, contact Metro Housing Boston at (617) 859-0400 (1-800-532-0183 for hearing impaired), with Monday – Friday office hours 8:45am- 5:00pm.

Residents or friends who would like to make a tax-deductible donation may do so by:

1. By cash or check at any branch of Reading Cooperative Bank. Checks payable to: Residents of 625 Main Street.
2. By transfer from your RCB account. Just log-in and follow the instructions on the RCB webpage.
3. By credit or debit card via PayPal at readingcoop.com/charitable. These donations will incur a PayPal charitable rate fee of 2.2% + $0.30.