City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 2, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Proposed Post CARES Act Funding Plan for to Continue Addressing Food Insecurity and Eviction Prevention.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: The need for food distribution and eviction prevention for those most at risk in our community will continue beyond the City's CARES Act allocation from the Commonwealth of Virginia which expires December 30, 2020.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve an allocation of $375,000 to support a four-month program of food security and $625,000 to support eviction prevention for City residents most at risk for the period covering January through April 2021.
BACKGROUND: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has collaborated with many partners to respond to demand from City residents for food and financial assistance. With particular support from ALIVE!, Inc., ACT for Alexandria, Senior Services of Alexandria, Alexandria City Public Schools, the faith and food pantry network, the City responded to emerging food needs through a number of mediums. The subsequent allocations of CARES Act funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia fortified these efforts and resulted in the distribution of over 3,388,053 meals to individuals and families since early spring.
Through the work of the Office of Housing, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), Legal Services of Northern Virginia and many other key community partners, evictions and displacements have been avoided through the use of CARES Act funding as well as other federal funds. The City is also working closely with the Virginia's Department of Housing and Community Development Rent and Mortgage Relief Program. These resources enabled the provision of $7 million in eviction prevention assista...
Click here for full text