The City of Gastonia has received a special allocation of Community Development Block Grant funding in the amount of $386,391. The allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Funding will help the City provide essential services to low- and moderate-income citizens in Gastonia.
“We will work closely with community partners to invest in new and existing programs,” said Vincent Wong, Director of Community Services. “There are many citizens who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and we believe this funding will help us give back to the communities we serve.”
Some of the areas that the City has identified where the CDBG funds could be used are:
- Tenant-based rental assistance.
- Aid to non-profit organizations for public service projects/activities that expand housing assistance for low-to moderate-income citizens.
- Aid for public structures. For example, the City is working with Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County to provide water and sewer infrastructure to service an estimated 20 lots that will be developed for low-to moderate-income housing.
The Community Services Department will receive and allocate the funds for the City of Gastonia. Although the City receives a yearly entitlement amount from the federal Housing and Urban Development Department for community development, these additional funds are earmarked through the CARES Act for assistance to state, local, and tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The City will begin planning for the funds immediately and will also encourage residents to be part of the planning process.
