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ATLANTA — Federal COVID-19 aid funds proceed to be put to make use of in Georgia via the American Rescue Plan Act.
Final week, Gov. Brian Kemp introduced that extra ARPA funds can be used to deal with neighborhoods impacted by COVID, and homelessness within the state.
A $250 million “Enhancing Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities” grant, with awards of as much as $2 million per certified mission, is open to initiatives that enhance neighborhood options equivalent to parks, recreation amenities, sidewalks and wholesome meals entry.
The governor’s workplace suggests most of these neighborhood property have been linked to decreased ranges of mortality and sickness, each with reference to avoiding the unfold of COVID-19 and different bodily or psychological illnesses.
“Although we have now lengthy since turned the nook on the pandemic, we all know there are nonetheless some lingering public well being impacts of COVID-19 which can be broader than the illness itself. … They embody psychological well being challenges and unhealthy bodily situations attributable to isolation,” Kemp acknowledged. “That’s why all through the pandemic, we labored arduous to maintain our state parks and leisure amenities open and working safely, encouraging individuals to proceed to make the most of environments the place they may socially distance, get outside, get contemporary air and train.”
Functions are being accepted via Nov. 18.
Native models of presidency, counties or nonprofits making use of for the grant should use the Georgia Certified Census Tract Dashboard to confirm that the proposed mission resides inside one of many state’s QCTs.
Software info for this system may be discovered on the Governor’s Workplace of Planning and Budgeting web site.
Additionally introduced final week, 20 initiatives amounting to $62 million can be awarded to housing initiatives throughout Georgia targeted on combating homelessness and housing insecurity worsened by the damaging financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Extra awards beneath this system can be introduced within the coming weeks, in keeping with the governor’s workplace.
“As Georgians confronted the unprecedented challenges and financial downturn of the pandemic, COVID-19 robbed a few of their monetary stability, increasing the homeless inhabitants in weak communities,” Kemp mentioned. “Those that have been already homeless confronted even larger difficulties, with many already fighting psychological well being or substance abuse points. By investing these funds in those that are already making a distinction round our state on these fronts, we’ll present these most in want with assets that can assist them on the highway to non-public and monetary restoration.”
Initiatives receiving awards embody development of latest inexpensive housing, enhancements to current properties and help for these experiencing psychological well being issues whereas homeless, in keeping with the governor’s workplace.
Late final month, Kemp introduced a brand new ARP-funded grant which opened Sept. 1 for public security entities to deal with elevated crime and assist offset a lower in legislation enforcement staffing that occurred as native governments fought the results and unfold of COVID-19.
ARPA recipients should obligate the funds by Dec. 31, 2024, and spend them by Dec. 31, 2026, in keeping with the U.S. Division of Treasury.
The plan was authorized in March 2021 and the state of Georgia is predicted to obtain $17.4 billion.
In response to Georgia’s ARPA funding dashboard, the state has obtained greater than $2.4 billion to date in ARPA funds and has obligated greater than $1.5 billion of it.
The dashboard signifies that greater than $170 million has truly been spent of the funds.
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