City Of Appleton Awarded $348,000 To Help Non-Profits Affected By Coronavirus Pandemic

From the City of Appleton:

August 14, 2020

In the last several months, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused unprecedented unemployment and put thousands of households at risk of being unable to afford housing and other basic needs. It is important that multiple systems are provided the financial resources to work together to address the needs in our community. The City of Appleton was awarded a special allocation of $348,255 in Community Development Block Grant funding to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to respond to the growing effects of the public health crisis.

Much like the [regular] annual CDBG allocation, City staff is extending an application opportunity to utilize these funds for projects and activities preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19. This application will be made available on September 1 to interested organizations. Eligibility to apply for these funds is not contingent on completing the mandatory 2021 Pre-Application Training. All applications will be electronically due to the City of Appleton’s Community Development Specialist no later than Friday, September 18 @ 12:00 Noon. Allocations will be presented to the Community & Economic Development Committee (CEDC) on Wednesday, October 14 and Common Council Wednesday, October 21.

While the funding available is CDBG, due to the pandemic, there are some significant variations from the typical pot of funding. Aside from those variations [listed below], all other requirements under CDBG remain for this pot of funding (i.e. environmental reviews, reporting, serving LMI).

Elimination of the 15% public service cap

While there is no longer a cap on public service activities, funds may only be used for public service activities that are new or that represent a quantifiable increase above the level of an existing service. Also, emergency payments (rent/utilities) may not be provided for a consecutive 6 months (rather than 3 previously).

Reimbursement of costs regardless of date incurred

Costs associated to the project that have been incurred since January 21, 2020, can seek reimbursement with these funds.

Program Income does not need to be spent down first

Program income generated by CDBG-CV funds shall be treated as annual CDBG program income. Therefore, agencies do not need to spend program income down to actual CDBG-CV funding.

Please extend this notification to nonprofits that you think would be interested in seeking these funds.

This press release was produced by the City of Appleton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.