Mayor Joe Hogsett Highlights Local Spending of Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds
Mayor Joe Hogsett Highlights Local Spending of Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds
$76 million to support expanded contact tracing, rental relief, small business assistance
INDIANAPOLIS – This morning, Mayor Joe Hogsett outlined the funding priorities of the COVID-19 relief package that will be voted on by the City-County Council at their regularly scheduled meeting tonight. The $76 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund spending is split between public health expenditures, including the purchase of face coverings for Marion County residents and expanded contract tracing; a suite of social services and economic recovery programs aimed at getting Indianapolis residents, disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 back on their feet; and tools that will make key government services more easily accessible for residents. An additional allocation of FEMA funds will go towards helping reopen city and county agencies as well as food security and homelessness services.
“This virus has exacerbated existing racial and class-based inequities in our city. To that end, we have prioritized funding towards communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said Mayor Hogsett. “When you consider the scope and scale of what our city continues to confront as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is clear that these dollars will be helpful, but not sufficient. That is why we continue to advocate our delegation to include in future legislation additional relief funding and – importantly – additional flexibility that will permit Indianapolis to weather a fiscal storm that will likely stretch years into the future.”
The fiscal package includes $20 million in expanded contact tracing through a partnership with the Indiana University School of Public Health and the Marion County Public Health Department. It also contains $3 million for the purchase and distribution of cloth face coverings for any Marion County resident unable to procure their own.
Significant funding has been allocated towards small business recovery, with resources including $5 million apiece for participation in the state’s small business assistance program and the local RESTART program in partnership with the Indy Chamber. New today is a $2 million allocation towards an identical reimbursement program for the nonprofit sector.
The package also includes $15 million in direct funding to provide rent relief for those who have seen their livelihood impacted by COVID-19. In partnership with area service providers, these dollars will be accessible through community centers across Marion County and matched by Township Trustee dollars if those offices choose to participate.
Additionally, Lilly Endowment Inc. is committing up to $10 million to support community rental assistance programs as outlined in this ordinance. As part of this commitment, the Endowment will also provide valuable operating support to community centers and select other organizations that are working to comprehensively help those in need and that are charged with implementing key aspects of this program. This funding includes $1.5 million to cover the estimated administrative expenses of the rental assistance program—meaning that the entire $15 million of public funds will be completely dedicated to helping people with much-needed rent relief.
Other social service spending includes housing options for homeless neighbors, support to food agencies including Second Helpings, Gleaners, and Midwest Food Bank, a rapid reemployment hub in partnership with Ascend, EmployIndy and the Indy Chamber, and adult education opportunities.
Government service spending includes overtime for public safety employees, PPE expenses related to the continued construction of the Community Justice Center, the expansion of remote services, technology that will allow residents to schedule appointments with government agencies, and 311 modernization.
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Residents and affected workers impacted by COVID-19 restrictions should visit the city’s resource guide, which can be viewed at http://www.indy.gov/covid. Spanish speaking residents can view the Resource Guide here. Individuals who are unable to navigate the city’s website can call 317-327-4MAC between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to talk to a customer service representative.
