The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has notified Westchester County that pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), emergency Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) are available to aid in the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant money the County will receive will be disbursed among the nonprofit organizations that assist residents, and small business micro-enterprises of the 27 Consortium municipalities in Westchester, with funds available as soon as July.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “On behalf of all of our local municipalities, funding from the CDBG and ESG programs will bring real relief by saving money for taxpayers who are struggling. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous financial strain, especially for those with low and moderate incomes. These federal dollars will go a long way towards helping our consortium communities, nonprofit organizations small businesses and micro-enterprises get back on their feet again.”
Senator Chuck Schumer said: “As New York’s first hotspot, it is imperative that Westchester County has all the tools they need to fight this pandemic on the frontlines and finally get on the road to recovery. This funding is a vital first step to rebuilding, sending millions to bolster local economic growth, community revitalization, and affordable housing. These programs will deliver real results to Westchester residents – by creating good-paying jobs, delivering essential services that will help communities, and investing in affordable housing for our most vulnerable populations, which is why I fought so hard to secure these funds during the CARES Act negotiations.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “Small businesses are the heart of New York’s local economies, and they urgently need assistance to survive the economic crisis caused by this pandemic. This funding is great news for Westchester County and will be used to offset costs for nonprofits and small businesses facing decreased revenues. I will continue working in the Senate and alongside our local leaders to ensure our small treasured businesses have the resources needed to face this unprecedented financial hardship.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: “The spread of the coronavirus across the Lower Hudson Valley has placed an unprecedented, unbearable strain on too many New Yorkers, including seniors, the disabled, low income families with children, and veterans, who were already struggling to find or maintain housing security and access economic opportunities prior to this pandemic. This federal funding which I helped secure in the CARES Act will provide Westchester County with flexible rapid investments responsive to community needs during and after this public health crisis. I’m grateful for County Executive George Latimer’s leadership in this fight against COVID-19, and I’m proud the federal government can be an important partner in helping Westchester meet the needs of every resident during and after this crisis.”
Representative Eliot Engel said: “Westchester is at the center of the nation’s coronavirus outbreak. These federal grants will help support our local communities through this public health crisis, but these federal dollars are just a drop in the bucket for Westchester. Given the pause in local economic activity, Westchester County needs additional resources to continue serving the community. I’m fighting every day to get additional aid for local governments like Westchester in the next stimulus package.”
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said: “Communities across the Hudson Valley have faced unprecedented challenges because of this public health crisis, and it will take strong partnerships between the federal, state and county governments to recover. These grants, made possible through the CARES Act, are an important step in the coronavirus recovery process, and will help connect families, veterans, and small business owners with the resources they need now.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning Norma Drummond said: “There will be a critical need in early July to assist families with paying several months of back rent. At the same time, offering assistance to small businesses that are the mainstay of our municipalities is also critical. We are thankful that these funds will be available to fill these gaps for so many of our Westchester families and businesses.”
Chair of the Westchester Urban County Consortium Steve Altieri said: “The additional CDBG funding is great news for the Consortium communities. It will permit the consortium to assist food banks facing shortages of funding and small businesses which have been so badly impacted by the Coronavirus Crisis.”
Available CDBG funds are as follows:
- $380,000 available to assist nonprofits.
- $400,000 available for emergency food distribution programs.
- $1.2 million available for micro-enterprise assistance.
Available ESG funds are as follows:
- $350,000 for non-profits to assist low income households with rental or utility arrears
- $600,000 to assist low income households with short term rental assistance
Funding will be available to assist households and businesses within the 27 Consortium municipalities. The balance of funding will help to cover the administrative costs associated with these programs.