Press Release: Kenmore Receives $6.4 Million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds

press release banner

Si gusta communicarse con la ciudad de Kenmore o revisar un documento en otro idioma, envie su solicitud con su información de conctacto a cityhall@kenmorewa.gov o llame al 425-398-8900.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         
July 14, 2021                                                              

City of Kenmore Communications
communications@kenmorewa.gov
425-398-8900

Kenmore Receives $6.4 Million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds

City seeks partner organization to assist with $1 million direct cash assistance to low-income residents 

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a federal law that was signed into effect in March to provide $1.9 trillion to help the U.S. respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Kenmore will receive $6.4 million in ARPA funds in two payments: half to be received in mid-2021 and the remainder to be received in mid-2022.

At the May 24, 2021, Kenmore City Council meeting, the Council voted to direct $1 million of Kenmore’s ARPA funds for direct cash assistance to the approximately 2,600 Kenmore residents whose income is at or below 30% of our Area Median Income. The City is currently seeking a nonprofit agency or other organization to partner with to assist with disbursing the funds. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for this work is open through July 23, 2021.

"Low-income residents and households have particularly felt the negative economic impacts from COVID-19,” said Kenmore Mayor David Baker. “Financial assistance to these residents and households could go a long way in helping pay for essential household expenses."

"There is an urgency to this effort; we want to disseminate the funds as quickly as possible to residents in need,” added Stephanie Lucash, Assistant City Manager/American Rescue Plan Act Administrator for the City of Kenmore. “We look forward to receiving proposals and moving forward with this important work."

Beyond the $1 million in direct cash assistance, the City Council will set guiding principles and a high-level strategy for use of the remaining funds. The federal government has established requirements, limitations and allowable uses for the funds, which are intended to address economic fallout, support individuals and businesses and make investments to ensure a strong and equitable response to - and recovery from - the pandemic. A community engagement effort will be launched later this year to provide opportunities for residents, business owners, community partners, and other stakeholders to weigh in on ARPA funding decisions. 

Learn more about ARPA funds and Kenmore at: www.kenmorewa.gov/ARPA