Sussex agencies receive CARES Act funds
At its Sept. 22 meeting Sussex County Council approved the recipients of $250,000 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Community Development Block Grant funding.
The following agencies received grants:
La Red Health Center, $50,000; Community Legal Aid Society, $50,000; Community Resource Center, $50,000; Love Inc./Code Purple, $33,700; La Esperanza, $25,700; Boys & Girls Club of Delaware; $25,000; Harry K Foundation, $10,000; and Jesus Love Evangelist Association, $5,600.
Brandy Nauman, Sussex County housing coordinator and fair housing compliance officer, said the organizations will spend the funds and be reimbursed by the county, which administers the program.
The funds can be used for rental assistance, materials and supplies, legal services, and senior food programs relating to COVID-19 issues, said Brad Whaley, Sussex County community development and housing director.
Nauman said 17 organizations filed applications for the money. She said all of the organizations can now apply for $3.2 million in the second round and $1.8 million in the third round of CARES Act funding with the Delaware State Housing Authority.
Sussex County received nearly $1 million in funding to support programs, residents and organizations dealing with COVID-19 issues.
The majority of the funding, about $620,000, has been set aside for hotel/motel vouchers for Sussex County residents who are homeless, displaced or quarantined. Funds will be distributed in a partnership with Delaware Department Health and Social Services’ Division of State Service Centers.
The following are what the funds will be used for:
La Red Health Center, based in Georgetown – addition of sanitation equipment, new filtration system and UV-C lighting for all exam and procedure rooms; Community Legal Aid Society – legal assistance to 30 tenants facing eviction; Community Resource Center in Rehoboth Beach – rental, mortgage and utility assistance for 45 to 60 households; Jesus Love Evangelist Association in Milford – rent, utility and mortgage assistance for 10 households, and distribution of 350 weekly food boxes in the Milford area; La Esperanza in Georgetown – emergency food provisions, legal services, health-related services to facilitate in-person interactions safely outdoors and provide technology to help clients in need for school/telecounseling assistance; Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware – food and food delivery services to members and homeless persons; Love Inc./Code Purple in Seaford – funding for rent and utilities and food service to the homeless; and Harry K Foundation in Rehoboth Beach – purchase food for families and youth facing homelessness.
