How Should ARPA Funds Address Housing Issues in Cleveland? 

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Forum for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 

How Should ARPA Funds Address Housing Issues in Cleveland? 

President Joseph Biden, on March 11, 2021, signed into law the one-time allocation of funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. Nationally, ARPA provided $350 billion to state and local governments. The City of Cleveland received $511.7 million. These funds represent the single largest infusion of funds since the Community Development Block Grant Fund (CDBG) Program of 1974. Funds from ARPA will provide an opportunity for state and local governments to address the housing crisis that lingers over Cleveland neighborhoods. To date, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration, through the Center for Economic Recovery, has recommended the allocation of $50 million of the funds to address housing issues. The use of these funds must be approved by Cleveland City Council.

On September 27, 2022 a virtual Brown Bag Forum will be sponsored by the Ohio Fair Lending Coalition and Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs. The forum will provide an opportunity to:

• Learn about the city of Cleveland’s preliminary ideas for using ARPA funding to   address housing issues.
• Hear what local housing organizations have proposed for ARPA funding.
• Share your own ideas and suggestions.