The City is doing what it can to help non-profits and residents recover from the devastating financial impacts of COVID-19. The City will receive an additional $132,676 allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under the federal CARES Act specifically to help address needs created by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Regular CDBG funds are awarded every year and traditionally go to local non-profits serving low-income residents, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness in Goleta. Council approved the City using these new additional funds to provide Goleta-specific assistance to nonprofits and residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds will be distributed through a partnership with the established COVID-19 Joint Response Effort led by the Santa Barbara Foundation, Hutton Parker Foundation, and United Way of Santa Barbara County with no funds going towards their administration costs. This partnership will allow for quick and efficient assistance to both nonprofits serving Goleta residents and also individual Goleta residents facing hardship due to COVID-19, requiring only one application for assistance, preventing duplication of support, and encouraging a regional approach. Read the full staff report here: https://tinyurl.com/yd46sbu4.