Submitted by: Patrick Paschall
Submitting Department: Finance
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
Non-Profit Emergency Relief - ARPA
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the Mayor and Council allocate $1,000,000 for non-profit emergency relief programs, authorizing up to $25,000 per non-profit, provided that non-profit that are in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, establish pandemic-related negative economic consequences eligible for relief under the American Rescue Plan Act, and primarily or significantly serve the City of Hyattsville’s resident or business communities. Program funds will be allocated into two programs:
1. $900,000 for general emergency relief needs of Hyattsville non-profits, authorizing up to $25,000 per non-profit.
2. $100,000 for a childcare assistance program.
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Summary Background:
The City of Hyattsville has been awarded $17.9 million under the American Rescue Plan Act, which is intended to be used for reinvestment back into our community focusing both on immediate pandemic-related needs of our community and addressing structural barriers that were exacerbated during the pandemic.
Non-profits have experienced many pandemic-related harms, ranging from loss of revenue to increased costs to manage COVID-19 mitigation. In addition, many non-profits have offered additional services during the pandemic without a source of revenue for those new programs, which the federal government considers a pandemic-related financial loss for a non-profit organization. The general relief program will allow non-profits to establish the way they have experienced pandemic-related harm and apply for relief funds of up to $25,000 per non-profit. While a non-profit can be eligible for relief if it is not located within the City of Hyattsville, under the law the City can only provide relief to in proportion to the benefit received by the City.
For example, if a non-profit or a program of a non-profit operates primarily outside the City of Hyattsville, but can establish that 25% of a program beneficiaries are City residents, then the City may provide only up to 25% of that program costs in ARPA relief support.
In addition, many childcare providers are non-profit organizations. The City has heard from many childcare providers that some of the most significant challenges related to opening more daycare and aftercare slots are associated with training requirements and state certification requirements for childcare centers to operate within the State’s parameters. Accordingly, this program would establish $100,000 to assist childcare providers with training their employees to become compliant with State standards and to assist those who wish to become certified child care centers with the costs needed to become certified.
The childcare relief fund will be available to both for-profit and non-profit childcare providers.
Next Steps:
Upon allocation, staff will develop application materials and eligibility criteria, with an intent to have applications available by the end of Spring 2022.
Fiscal Impact:
$1,000,000 using American Rescue Plan Act Funds
City Administrator Comments:
Recommends approval
Community Engagement:
The City has conducted an extensive outreach process to hear from the community about pandemic-related emergency relief needs, in an effort to tailor relief programs to the needs of our community. Through our public engagement process, we heard from over 400 unique individuals provide feedback via community listening sessions, an online feedback form, paper requests for feedback mailed to each home, and other outreach methods.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 2 - Ensure the Long-Term Economic Viability of the City
Legal Review Required?
N/A