The Community and Economic Development Committee is meeting 12/09/2020. On the agenda is an amendment to their Community Developement Block Grant Action Plan to “reallocating $78,386, originally awarded to Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program, [as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding], to the City of Appleton’s Motel Voucher Program.”
Apparently, Habitat For Humanity’s project does not meet the requirements of the grant program. The city appealed that decision with the reasoning that people need to have safe homes to live in if they’re asked to shelter in place.
From their appeal: “What happens when ‘stay at home’ means staying in an unhealthy place? As a result of COVID19, more than 300 million people in 42 states have been asked to “stay at home” — and now more than ever, home is everything. Home is the place to stay safe from a global pandemic. And for many of us, our home also has suddenly become our school, our barbershop, our restaurant, our office, our movie theater. For many, “stay at home” has meant the inconvenience of a changed routine. But for the thousands of Appleton families sheltering in place, the substandard, overcrowded or unaffordable housing situations they live with have only increased their feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability.”
Upon review, this allocation of funds was still found to not meet the requirements of the grant, hence the need to reallocate it.
See full meeting details here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=814343&GUID=E4F9A2FD-C3E0-4FE2-AA58-845ACA72D156&Options=info|&Search=
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