LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville leaders shared their ideas on how to spend millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds Monday. Mayor Greg Fischer and budget leaders of the Louisville Metro Council discussed four priority areas for nearly $340 million from the American Rescue Plan. Fischer outlined the four priority areas.
What You Need To Know
- Mayor Greg Fischer and budget leaders of the Louisville Metro Council outlined four proposed priority areas for federal COVID-19 relief funding
- Louisville has nearly $340 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan
- Some of the priority areas include homelessness, small business support and public safety
- Public input helped shape the priorities, according to the mayor
"That includes transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and other forms of affordable housing, particularly directed at Louisville’s lowest-income residents and those suffering from mental health and substance use disorder, who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency," Fischer said.
“To truly realize our full potential as a city, we must create an economic ecosystem that builds, supports and encourages Black and brown businesses and business owners, workers and communities," the mayor explained.
"In addition to preventing further spread of COVID and mitigating its impact, we want to seize this opportunity to more quickly realize our goal of becoming a healthier city," Fischer said. "That means improving access to healthcare and childcare, including mental health/substance abuse/suicide prevention, and promoting and supporting healthier living environments in communities most critically impacted by the virus."
"It will include recommended investments in violence prevention and intervention and new policing technology and deflection and diversion programs," he said.
Fischer also recommended that some of the funding goes to essential city employees while holding some for COVID-19 prevention if needed, he said.
The public's input, through surveys and council hearings, has helped shape the priorities, according to Fischer.
Next, the council will go over the proposed priorities and make changes, then leaders will request proposals from community partners, the mayor said.
"We need organizations that are well-versed in each of these priority areas to work together and make concrete proposals, and we hope that we’ll begin receiving them soon," said District 9 Councilman Bill Hollander, who serves as chair of the budget committee.