North Kentucky News

Covington, Kentucky is seeking social service providers to allocate nearly $700,000 in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan. The funds are intended to assist vulnerable populations within the Northern Kentucky HOME Consortium, which includes Covington and seven other cities: Newport, Dayton, Bellevue, Ludlow, Erlanger, Florence, and Independence.

John Hammons, Covington’s CDBG/HOME Program Coordinator, explained that the funding will support a range of services across these cities. During a consultation process involving feedback from 14 local agencies and the public, several priority needs were identified. These include supportive services such as case management, mental health assistance, substance abuse treatment, employment services, housing navigation, transportation aid, childcare support and other holistic services. Additionally prioritized were homelessness prevention initiatives like shelter diversion programs and rent or utility assistance programs.

Hammons emphasized that these funds should not be used for ongoing services but rather for innovative projects addressing unmet needs. “We know that our non-profits are doing a lot of really good work,” Hammons said. “This is their chance to be creative...or to meet needs that are not being addressed.”

Proposals must be submitted by May 5 at 10 a.m., with awards expected to be announced by July when program implementation would begin.

The allocation is part of a larger $2 million fund awarded under the American Rescue Plan enacted in March 2021. The money targets families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and supports activities such as affordable housing development and tenant-based rental assistance.

After extensive engagement with local agencies last year resulting in the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan creation—allocating $695,103 for supportive services—the request for proposals aims to bring this plan into action.