Mayor Elorza Announces Additional Funding to Community Organizations Aiding the City’s Recovery from COVID-19

CARES Act provides nearly $3 million in supplementary assistance for local organizations

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced the City of Providence has awarded nearly $3 million in additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding directly to local organizations providing essential services during COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided the City with nearly $5 million of supplementary funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) specifically to aid the City’s COVID-19 response and recovery.

“Community organizations have been on the frontlines in our city’s and state’s fight against COVID-19 and will continue to play a critical role in our recovery,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “I want to thank all of our community partners for the essential work they do to protect the health and safety of our residents and I commend the members of our federal delegation for securing these funds that will directly support the most vulnerable members of our community during this difficult time.”

Over $1 million of the supplementary funding will be utilized to expand COVID-19 testing capacity throughout the City. The remainder will be used to support nearly 30 local organizations providing critical services to residents and small business owners during COVID-19 including: financial assistance and support for victims and survivors of domestic violence, increased food access to food-insecure households, social support services to residents hardest hit by the effects of COVID-19, short-term emergency financial assistance to low-income households at risk of being displaced, and grants for micro-businesses with five or fewer employees.

“I am so proud of the work that the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning (URRP) did to ensure that we could serve the most organizations with the most need,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos.

Deputy Majority Leader and Chairwoman of the Committee on URRP Mary Kay Harris stated, ”I am grateful to my fellow Committee members, the Council Staff, the City Clerk’s, and Emily Freedman in the planning department for their guidance and support as we made these important decisions for our community.”

The $3 million in new CDBG funding is in addition to the annual allocation of CDBG funding that the City received from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).