Translate
click to return to home page

News

$1.8 Million available for households affected by pandemic

$1.8 Million available for households affected by pandemic

Date

As part of its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the federal government, Clackamas County announced today that $1.8 million in grants is available to provide basic goods and services to qualifying households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing effects.

Basic goods and services are those needed to maintain a minimum standard of living, such as hygiene items, clothing, bedding, and sanitation supplies. A full list can be found at the end of this release.  

Clackamas County has ensured equitable distribution of this funding to underserved communities such as people of color, members of religious minorities, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural areas, and persons adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality, through the sub-recipient process.

Individuals/households can work through qualifying local community-based organizations (CBOs) to receive grants, which are ultimately being facilitated by local nonprofit AntFarm. Thus far, nine CBOs have qualified to help individuals/households receive grants (see full list below). The online portal for more CBOs to apply – which they are encouraged to do – can be found at https://antfarmyouthservices.com/emergencymanagement/.  

Individuals/households should contact CBOs directly. The grant program will be open until Dec. 31, 2023. 

AntFarm and local CBO partners will have the details of what a household can qualify for. To be eligible to apply for basic goods/services, qualifying households must reside in Clackamas County and fall into one of two categories. Impacted households are those that have previously or are currently experiencing any of the following: 

  • experiencing unemployment
  • experiencing increased food or housing insecurity
  • defined as moderate income relative to the size of the household (per federal specifications)
  • receiving benefits from the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program, childcare subsidies through the Child Care and Development Fund Program, or Medicaid

The second category, disproportionately impacted households, are those that have previously or are currently experiencing any of the following:

  • have a home address in a Clackamas County federally-defined qualified census tract (certain parts of the Jennings Lodge, Clackamas and Sunnyside areas. See https://bit.ly/3PuMrFB)
  • receiving services provided by Tribal governments
  • defined as low income relative to the size of the household (per federal specifications)
  • receiving benefits from any of the following federal programs:
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Free and Reduced-Price Lunch (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast (SBP) programs
    • Medicare Part D Low-income subsidies
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Head Start and/or Early Head Start
    • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
    • Section 8 Vouchers
    • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    • Pell Grants

Basic goods and services for those that are affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic include the following types of items: 

  • Hygiene items 
  • First-aid supplies 
  • Small cooling and heating units
  • Food box items 
  • Bedding 
  • Clothing
  • Sanitation supplies 
  • Small appliances necessary for preparing or storing meals 
  • Baby essentials
  • Energy efficient supplies
  • Public transportation fare 
  • Childcare fees 
  • Public storage costs for essential items
  • Car repairs 
  • Burial costs

Currently-qualified CBOs that individuals/households can work through to receive grants include: 

Questions from local organizations about eligibility/qualifications should be directed to AntFarm at amiek@antfarmyouthservices.com. 

Clackamas County has received a total of approximately $81.2 million in federal ARPA funds, to be spent by December 2026. Criteria to spend these funds is outlined by the federal government, which details how this money can be used to best recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Clackamas County is committed to supporting our community, and residents are encouraged to track how ARPA funding is spent at www.clackamas.us/recovery.