Agencies urged to apply for Louisville Metro Council COVID-19 Relief Fund

 

For Immediate Release:										Media Contact:
										Debbie Belt, 574-6587 / 303-6167

Agencies urged to apply for Louisville Metro Council COVID-19 Relief Fund
Current FY20 External Agency Fund (EAF) recipients and existing Louisville Metro programs may seek relief funding

 

LOUISVILLE, KY (April 24, 2020) – Louisville Metro Government will begin accepting applications today for the Louisville Metro Council COVID-19 Relief Fund (CRF) – established to supplement relief organizations experiencing an incremental surge in demand for services from persons impacted by the COVID-19 health pandemic.

FY20 External Agency Fund (non-profit) recipients or Metro administered programs with existing food and/or housing assistance programs are eligible to apply.

Metro Council voted to approve this $2.7 million relief package on March 19, 2020.

 "We recognize the challenges faced by many hardworking residents who have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 closures and hope this funding can help provide some comfort in these difficult times,” said Councilman Markus Winkler (D-17).

“These funds are made possible by the collective economic contribution of our residents.  This is a proactive approach to stabilizing housing and ensuring nutrition made possible by our organizations on the frontline.  Together we can invest in each other to ensure a healthy and more resilient community post COVID,” said Councilwoman Nicole George (D-21).

Mayor Greg Fischer thanked the Council for their partnership. “The agencies that are eligible for this funding have always been on the frontlines of the battle to support our most vulnerable,” he said. “It’s important that we support them now, as COVID-19 makes that battle all the more fierce.” 

Starting today, April 24, applications will be accepted from eligible organizations and reviewed on a weekly basis by a panel composed of representatives from the public and private sector. The funding may only be used by organizations that provide the following public services to Jefferson County residents: rent and/or mortgage assistance and/or food access.

Any approval will require that applicants demonstrate an increased demand for services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and depletion of other COVID-19 related funding. The goal is to provide funding within a week of panel approval.

The 5-person review panel will consist of one representative each from the Mayor’s office and Metro United Way, and three representatives from Metro Council.  The city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services will serve as the fiscal agent for administering the CRF.

Applications can be submitted to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LMCCOVID.

For more information about the  Metro Council COVID-19 Relief Fund applications and guidelines, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/external-agency-fund.

Process questions should be directed to Ethan Lambert, Grants Coordinator with the Office of Resilience and Community Services, at Ethan.Lambert@louisvilleky.gov.

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