'There are plenty of ways to use this money,' homeowner sounds off on preliminary pandemic funding plan
CLEVELAND — Meeka Compton was finally able to own her home in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood just three years ago and is now hoping the city will use millions in federal American Recovery Plan Act Funds to help others achieve the same dream.
"There are plenty of ways to use this money, also for more law enforcement, education, some tutoring, some financial literacy for the adults and some home buyer programs that actually work.” Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin said city council is in constant contact with Mayor Justin Bibb and his administration in crafting a final plan, which he believes could be ready for a council vote in late August or September. Griffin said the current rough draft plan must be trimmed to $53 million and could include up to $35 million in various forms of housing assistance.
“Also educationally, understanding that many of our children are several years behind, and how do we prepare them, not only for today but in the future," Howse said. “How do we think through our city services and even working with our county partners to reengage our seniors in new and innovative ways.”Stabilizing the Budget: ARPA funds were primarily intended to assist cities with revenue replacement that was lost due to the impacts of COVID-19.
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