COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISORS ACKNOWLEDGE ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT BEING SIGNED

March 11, 2022
County Board Chair Analiese Eicher, (608) 571-6823
County Board

One year ago President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which delivered $350 billion to state, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has cited analysis indicating that the law resulted in 4 million more jobs and nearly doubled GDP growth – and that without it, the United States would have come close to a double-digit recession in spring 2021. The Treasury also noted that the results have been historically equitable, with major progress against child poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment for low-income communities and communities of color.

 

Of the $350 billion included in ARPA, $65.1 billion went to counties. Dane County’s allocation was $106 million. Since the signing of ARPA, Dane County has used the funds to address food insecurity, business and non-profit assistance, sheltering for those experiencing homelessness, and grants for artists, among other efforts.

 

The County used $5 million in ARPA funds to assist local non-profit organizations through a partnership with the Madison Community Foundation. Madison Community Foundation managed a grant program to award funds to local non-profits that experienced a reduction in revenue or increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the end of December, 2021, all funds had been distributed to 183 grantees with an average grant amount of approximately $25,000.

 

"Throughout the pandemic, we heard from non-profit organizations that there was a great need for assistance. I’m proud of the work the County did to address this need and help the organizations that give so much to our community and residents," said County Board Supervisor Shelia Stubbs (District 23).

 

The County also made sheltering and a rehousing initiative a priority in allocating the ARPA funds. Beginning in April 2020, the county initiated a non-congregate sheltering program for persons experiencing homelessness. Throughout the pandemic, this effort has housed nearly 300 individuals and families in local motels. The effort included renting lodging rooms in local facilities, providing food, medical isolation, security, and case management. Over $11.5 million was used throughout 2021 and 2022 for hotel sheltering.

 

Additionally, the American Rescue Plan Act included $21.5 billion in funding for emergency rental assistance. Dane County received more than $12.5 million to support local efforts to prevent evictions and provide housing stability.

 

"The pandemic had very real impacts on people’s everyday lives, including the ability to afford rent. These funds are available, and should be used by those that are eligible and in need. This is another great initiative with tangible results in people’s lives," said County Board Chair Analiese Eicher.

 

Dane CORE 2.0 is a partnership between Dane County, the City of Madison, Urban Triage, Tenant Resource Center, Community Action Collation and other community partners. The goal of the partnership is to assist eligible households in need of rental and utility assistance with funding to make sure those bills can be paid.

Rental assistance is available to households meeting all of the following criteria:

• You or someone in your household owes rent to your current or former landlord, or know for certain you won’t be able to pay your rent next month.
• You experienced financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic, either directly or indirectly. This includes receiving unemployment or having a significant reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship during the period of the COVID-19 public health emergency which remains ongoing.
• You are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including owing past rent.
• Your household income at or below 80 percent of their county’s median income

As of the beginning of March, there is approximately $3 million remaining in available funds for the contracts for rental assistance. Information on the program is available here: https://urbantriage.org/our-work/rental-support

 

The ARPA funds were also used to provide grants to local artists in both the visual and performing realms that were negatively impacted by social distancing guidelines due to galleries and venues being closed. The County used $1 million of the ARPA funds was distributed by applications from individuals in grants up to $2,500.