The American Rescue Plan Act Three Years Later

Mayor Randall Woodfin used ARP funds to spur the development of 27 new affordable homes. This allocation provides assistance to low-and-moderate income communities, with a focus on communities of color.

City Councilmember Colin Parent has led the allocation of $800,000 to support small business recovery and help entrepreneurs and new startups open storefronts in the city. Participants in the La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP) are eligible to receive up to $20,000 in grants as well as personalized start-up training programs.

Former County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty spearheaded the approval of $500,000 in ARPA funds to install new antennae and expand internet access in the county with a focus on students and farmworker housing.

The Colorado Affordable Housing Task Force, chaired by Senator Dylan Roberts, championed five bills that were signed into law that will utilize a total of $428 million in ARP funds towards housing solutions. Roberts’ authored bill creates new grant programs and provides $178 million to help communities invest in affordable housing grant projects and related services and to sustainably develop vacant land.

Under Governor Jared Polis, the state’s “I Matter” program provides up to six free therapy sessions for Colorado youth. Since the program launched in 2021, 6,000 young people have received one or more free therapy sessions.

Senator Chris Hansen sponsored a bill that invests $50 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding into the development and operation of a navigation campus that provides assistances to Coloradans experiencing homelessness.

Thanks to leadership from Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Connecticut’s expansive free bus transportation service has been critical in fighting homelessness, addressing unemployment, and increasing access to healthcare and human services.

According to former Mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford’s Youth Service Corps has provided 1,500 youth with opportunities to earn a paycheck while engaging in community service-based projects, such as lawn care services and snow removal for senior citizens. American Rescue Plan funds have helped grow the program, adding 100 participants per year to serve 350 people annually.

Per Mayor Caroline Simmons, Stamford is using $1.5 million of its American Rescue Plan Act money to create a grant program for small businesses that have taken a financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected to support 200 small businesses with grants of up to $7,500 to help with payroll, commercial lease or mortgage payments, and other critical expenses.

County Executive Matt Meyer is using $54 million in ARPA funding to invest in affordable housing, stormwater management, cellular broadband, and other community priorities, plus $27.5 million for the construction of 350 new affordable homes and 278 rental units.

Atlanta Councilmember Amir Farokhi’s helped approve housing subsidies for public safety personnel. As rents continue to rise in Atlanta, the city hopes that by helping to cover housing costs with ARPA dollars, public safety officers can afford to live where they work, help recruit and retain new officers, and also build trust between the community and those charged with protecting it.

To support childcare providers, the city of Boise – under the leadership of Mayor Lauren McLean – distributed $1,500 checks to 1,220 childcare workers. Providers have used the money to cover everything from supplies and operations expenses to medical bills and groceries.

Former Mayor Greg Fischer used ARPA dollars to support the Kentuckiana Builds pre-apprenticeship program, which aims to fill the demand for construction workers and offer wraparound services to underinvested communities, including formerly incarcerated individuals.

Former Mayor Adrian Perkins $5.3 million in ARPA funding to support recreation initiatives, the YMCA, and Ronald McDonal House Charities, addressing community needs to support families with critically ill children.

Thanks to the work of Representative Kristen Cloutier, nearly 150 family caregivers have received grants of $2,000 to help balance jobs with caregiving duties.

As Mayor, now-Lieutenant-Governor Kim Driscoll invested over $9 million of ARPA funds in affordable housing construction, grants to build accessory dwelling units, energy efficiency improvement projects at affordable housing complexes, and additional investments in the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

According to Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Michigan is on track to achieve its goal to make preschool free for all 4-year-old by 2027 and is in the process of building 2,000 new classrooms using ARPA dollars.

Under Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, Grand Rapids’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) has fostered relationships with nearly 7,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, providing resources, food, shelter, and substance abuse treatment.

Led by County Executive Dave Coulter, Oakland80 – the county’s education and workforce development program – has connected with over 700 people and provided over 200 people with in-depth counseling, coaching, and education services.

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones signed Board Bill 65, a public safety bill aimed at improving public safety by establishing the Office of Violence Prevention and allocating nearly $13.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding to community violence prevention and youth programs.

Mayor Ben Schierer is spearheading the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to transform Fergus Falls’ downtown and riverfront areas. This project increases pedestrian and bicycle access and provides more recreational spaces, including a community splash pad.

Mayor Tim Keller announced the allocation of $7 million in ARP funds for a first-in-the-nation youth center serving young adults ages 18 to 25 who are experiencing homelessness. The center will provide a safe residential facility for youth with age appropriate support services to help residents get on their feet.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan played a pivotal role in allocating $25 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund a limited number of “highly impactful programs,” creating “the Albany For All” initiative. This program has helped uplift local businesses and construct affordable housing.

Treasurer Zach Conine used American Rescue Plan Act funds to launch the State Small Business Credit Initiative which provides funding to Nevada-based startups with the goal of increasing access to capital and diversifying the state economy.

Per City Attorney Zach Klein, the city of Columbus used American Rescue Plan funds to maintain staffing levels for its Domestic Violence and Stalking Unit in the face of budget cuts. This has allowed them to continue their important work of keeping families safe.

Under the leadership of City Council President Shannon Hardin, the city has awarded 63 affordability scholarships to low-income families and provided 169 childcare workers with $1,000 signing bonuses.

County Commissioner John O’Grady leveraged $11 million for job training programs, including the Building Futures Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which provides low-income residents with a stipend and a pathway to gain employment in skilled construction trades.

Under the leadership of Mayor Lacey Beaty, has granted 544 unique businesses with COVID Business Grants to help with pandemic recovery. 71% of all grants went to businesses with 5 employees or less, 64% of grants went to BIPOC-owned businesses, and 53% of grants went to women-owned businesses.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Josh Maxwell, Chester County has awarded funding to 95 projects to address behavioral and mental health initiatives. Projects include Chester County’s 9-8-8 Mental Health Crisis Response system, mobile mental health crisis teams, and crisis stabilization centers.

To improve health and safety throughout the city, Pittsburgh City Councilmember Erika Strassburger has helped allocate $18 million to replace all lead water lines. So far, the city has replaced over 10,000 lead lines and have conducted 15 lead dust wipe inspections at city facilities.

According to Mayor Lee Harris, Shelby County has established the Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure grant to train and retain its public health workforce. It also emphasizes recruiting a diverse workforce to address health inequities and disparities within the community.

Former Mayor Steve Adler used $107 million in ARPA funds to create housing for 3,000 individuals and stabilize housing for 2,300 more households.

Former Mayor Trey Mendez led the city to utilize $3.3 million to provide low-income renters with supportive services and tenant-based rental assistance.

Using funds from the American Rescue Plan, Travis County Judge Andy Brown has overseen the construction of Espero Rutland – a new supportive development of 2,000 units that also provides access to physical and mental healthcare and work opportunities.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall has established neighborhood resource centers, which provide childcare for young children, adult job training, and parental assistance. The initiative features a sliding scale cost system, allowing some residents to access resources centers free of charge.

Mayor Levar Stoney has led the construction of multiple new childcare centers, giving over 200 families to affordable, high quality childcare. They’ve also joined community partners to establish the first ever Positive Youth Development Fund, focused increasing school attendance and preventing youth violence.

As Mayor Miro Weinberger seeks to end chronic homelessness, Burlington is using American Rescue Plan funds to construct 1,250 new homes and expand the Property Tax Relief Program.

With leadership from Mayor Cassie Franklin, Everett is using $9 million in ARPA funds to convert a hotel into bridge housing and provide wraparound services to unhoused neighbors.

Under the leadership of Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee is collaborating with developers and non-profit organizations to refurbish 150 vacant rental properties through the Homes MKE program.