ARPA
In 2021 and 2022, the City of Johnstown developed the Survive, Revive, Thrive plan to execute COVID-19 recovery for the City and to invest in its homeowners, businesses, and non-profits. To that end, four programs were released for members of the community to receive funding.
ARPA
The City of Johnstown received $30.7 Million as part of the American Rescue Plan passed by the 117th Congress of the United States in 2021. The purpose of the funding is to respond to the issues created by the COVID-19 Pandemic and invest in communities to overcome the financial and social hardships of the virus.
Small Business & Non-Profit Aid
One of the greatest local needs identified is assistance to businesses and non-profit organizations who suffered financial turmoil due to the pandemic. Many businesses and non-profit organizations lost money due to mandated closures, lack of customers, reduced work hours due to staff shortages, and more. The City will provided up to $25,000 to City businesses and non-profit organizations that can showed a financial loss due to the pandemic and who have not been reimbursed through other funding sources like the Payroll Protection Program or other federal programs.
Home Ownership
One effect of the pandemic included rising home prices, lack of affordable housing, and a dramatic increase in building material costs due to supply chain issues. In response to these issues the City opened the American Rescue Plan Home Ownership Program. Through this program applicants applied for funding assistance to help individuals purchase his or her first home in the City of Johnstown. This program is not meant to duplicate the City of Johnstown Housing and Urban Development Fund program offered to low-income residents, but it is meant to augment the program to expand access to funds to those who would otherwise be ineligible to receive assistance. The maximum award amount is $10,000. In addition, residents may also apply for the City of Johnstown American Rescue Plan Home Weatherization program to weatherize the purchased home.
Home Weatherization Program
The Home Weatherization Program was established to help existing City residents with performing necessary weatherization repairs to their homes that may have been delayed or stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With rising costs of available goods, lack of available contractors due to illness, and fears of personal safety, many families had to put off essential weatherization repairs to their homes. Grants are available through this program to assist homeowners in weatherizing their residences, thus saving costly energy bills, improving home value, and eliminating blight within the City of Johnstown. The maximum award amount is $10,000.
ARPA Non-Profit Community Program Funding
As part of the Survive, Revive, Thrive Program, the City recognizes the work many non-profits perform in the City and the assistance they provide to residents, businesses, and visitors. The City allocated funding to support programs that address food insecurity, childcare needs, public internet access, and other programs that are eligible for funding under the Final Rule established by the US Treasury for use of ARPA funding.