County Allocates Funds For COVID-19 Emergency

Nearly $13 million in new Federal funding will be used for COVID-19 emergency relief. On May 4, 2020, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and fellow legislators unanimously accepted this funding through an amendment to the 2019 U.S. Housing and Urban Development (Federal HUD grants) plan. Funding through this program usually focuses on providing and improving housing and community development. However, based on the number of people that are unemployed because of the COVID-19 non-essential business closures, the funding directives will respond to more immediate and critical needs.

The $12.8 million in Federal allocations have been specifically coded for COVID-19 relief. Approximately $8.5 million will fund the County’s preparation and response to the coronavirus emergency. The remaining $4.3 million will be used to help lessen the impact of job loss and other effects directly attributable to COVID-19 business closures for individuals and families who are homeless and/or meet the low-income criteria to be considered “at risk of homelessness.” About $2 million of this fund will be used to support emergency shelter operations and services, which includes childcare, employment training, mental health and substance abuse treatment, transportation and more.

“I am so grateful all of my peers in the Legislature agreed that it was critical to use these monies to help people who have been the hardest hit financially,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I know they are enduring other tragedies right now, but knowing they will have a roof over their heads and food for their families takes some of the burden off their shoulders. We were all glad to be able to accept the funding.”

Nassau County staff members have been running the government through in-person meetings (safe distancing and masks!), teleconferencing and other communications. They are working on budget transfers and other measures that will ensure critical departments have appropriate funding.

If you or someone you know are homeless or at risk of losing their home, please contact the County’s homeless prevention hotline at 516-571-0200. Also, do not hesitate to contact Leg. DeRiggi-Whitton’s office at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov with any questions or needs.