Steil Announces City of Racine Receives $649,751 to Support Homeless Families and Individuals Affected by COVID-19

JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN—Today, Bryan Steil announced that the City of Racine received $649,751 to assist homeless families and individuals suffering from coronavirus. Funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which Steil supported.

"I continue fighting for Southeast Wisconsin while we are under attack from an invisible virus that is impacting our health and economy. Targeted federal funds are being directed to at-risk populations. As we have learned, homeless families and individuals have been uniquely impacted by the virus. During my term in Congress, I have visited HALO in Racine and the Shalom Center in Kenosha and spoken directly with leaders in our community about both the needs of the homeless and what we can do to ultimately solve this problem. Our community of Racine struggles with homelessness and these funds will help our community prevent, prepare for, and respond to the invisible virus. I will continue fighting for Southeast Wisconsin to protect our health and get our economy back on its feet," said Steil.

On Background:

In March, Steil spoke on the House floor in support of the CARES Act.

Information on this grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development: The cities of Racine, Madison, and Milwaukee received Emergency Solution Grants (ESG) through the CARES Act. These Emergency Solution Grants (ESG) funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance. The funds will also support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. The allocation of $2.96 billion uses a formula targeted toward communities with high fractions of homeless – both sheltered and unsheltered – and those at the most risk for homelessness. It also takes into account economic and housing market conditions by making a modest adjustment for jurisdictions with very high market rents. One of the most at-risk groups for transmission of coronavirus are homeless individuals.