Title
Resolution To Award American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for the Carrboro Family Financial Assistance Program (CFFAP) second round
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Town Council to review updates of the Carrboro Financial Assistance Program and support the direction of the second round of funding.
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager’s Office
CONTACT INFORMATION: Anita Jones-McNair, Chief Race and Equity Officer, 919.918.7381, amcnair@carrboronc.gov <mailto:amcnair@carrboronc.gov>
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
X Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The Town Council approved ARPA funding for race and equity initiatives on October 11, 2022 - Grant Ordinance #4 Fiscal Year 2022-2023
INFORMATION: The first round of the program was a success thanks to work the of Orange County Social Services, Carrboro’s Race and Equity Team, Finance and Housing and Community Services Departments for dispersing $128,486 of ARPA funding on behalf of Carrboro families. See Attachment B. for details.
Numerous families continue to face challenges resulting from the ongoing impact of the pandemic. The Town continues to receive inquiries about financial assistance and being placed on a notification list should additional funding become available. These challenges primarily pertain to securing funds to offset housing, utilities, transportation, and childcare needs.
This second round of assistance includes the same financial aid as the pilot program, assisting with past due bills for housing, utilities, transportation, and childcare. Households can receive up to $6,000 per household. The combination includes up to $6,000 for housing and/or utilities or 1,500 for transportation and childcare.
The Town is also offering more opportunities to help families by partnering with Empowerment Inc. and offering internet access assistance. This partnership provides financial counseling for households prior to dispensing funding and assisting with distributing funds on behalf of families should the need arise. We are also offering an opportunity for internet access up to one year or $1,500. This request can come in the form of requesting an annual internet subscription or a combination of paying a past due payment(s) and including payment to balance an annual subscription.
Households that applied during the first round can also be considered in this second round if the financial assistance threshold was not reached in the first round.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding Line Item Allocation
ARPA Broadband Project $99,113
Pave Fitch Lumber Lot $40,000
Pave Butler Park Lot $10,000
ARPA CFFAP $21,524
CFFAP Total $170,637
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the resolution.