U.S.
Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will allocate a total of $186,431
to four counties throughout the Capital Region for emergency assistance through
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Emergency Food and Shelter
Program (EFSP). EFSP funds can be used for a broad range of services, including
mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food
banks, one-month assistance with rent, mortgage and utility payments to prevent
evictions, and transition assistance from shelters to stable living conditions.
The funding is part of a total of $5,290,000 for New York State and an
additional $307,271 for the State Set-Aside Program to serve NY areas in need
that do not qualify based on regular FEMA standards.
“During these tough economic times, funding this program
will give needed food and shelter assistance to struggling families
across the Capital Region,” Schumer said. “Increasing access to shelter, food
and housing assistance will help keep many Upstate New York families afloat
during these tumultuous times. These funds are a prime example of what the
Recovery Act can do and one of the many reasons I fought so hard to pass the
package. During this season it is more important than ever to feed the
hungry and house our most vulnerable families.”
“During these tough economic times, it’s important that
we maintain a support system for the New
York families who need it most,” said Senator
Gillibrand. “Food and housing assistance programs are a lifeline for many
families in the Capital Region. These federal dollars provide food for their
tables and a roof over their heads. I will continue to work with Senator
Schumer and the New York Congressional Delegation to ensure New York continues to receive these critical
funds.”
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program was
created in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations
within the United States,
both private and governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance.
This collaborative effort between the private and public sectors has provided
over $3.3 billion in Federal funds during its 26-year history.
EFSP uses measures of unemployment and poverty to allocate
the funds it receives from FEMA to city and county jurisdictions around the
country. To serve areas in need that do not qualify based on this formula, the
National Board established the State Set-Aside Program in 1987 to award
additional funds to each state based on a number of extenuating variables,
including recent spikes in unemployment and isolated pockets of homelessness or
poverty, among others.
EFSP funds can be used for a broad range of services,
including mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries
and food banks, one-month assistance with rent, mortgage and utility payments
to prevent evictions, and transition assistance from shelters to stable living
conditions. EFSP’s objectives are to allocate funds to the neediest areas; to
ensure fast response; to foster public-private sector partnerships; to ensure
local decision-making; and to maintain minimal but accountable reporting.
The funding will be allocated as follows:
- Albany County will receive
$84,465 - Rensselaer County will receive
$47,533 - Schenectady County will receive
$42,550 - Schoharie County will receive
$11,883
Today’s ARRA funds come in addition to FEMA’s $200 million
annual FY 09 allocation announced in December.