Long Beach: We Fought For And Got $53 Million In COVID Relief
The Californer/10084114

Release Date: 2020-07-07

Over the last few weeks, we led a coalition of big city mayors in a tough fight to ensure Long Beach would receive a $40 million relief package funded by the state. The funds are earmarked to assist residents and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. We also received $13 million from LA County to assist with our health response.

I want to thank Governor Gavin Newsom for his support and our local Long Beach delegation including State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Assemblymember Patrick O'Donnell, and Supervisor Janice Hahn. We are in a critical moment in our city's history and these resources will go a long way to support our community.

Our proposal for the state funds includes:

• $20 million for COVID-19 testing, which is critical to preventing community transmission of the virus.
• $2 million for emergency and transitional shelters for people experiencing homelessness who are vulnerable to COVID.
• $3.6 million to help small businesses comply with new physical changes to their businesses and to innovate spaces.
• $1 million for digital inclusion, to ensure Long Beach families have access to online services.
• $1.5 million to support arts organizations and the creative economy to provide economic relief.
• $1 million to create a Youth Ambassadors program and hire youth from across the city by partnering with local nonprofits and to provide training in health education.
• $1 million Black Health Equity initiative to support community work and break down racial inequity in our health systems.
• $1 million for community nonprofits who have health programs and are serving impacted communities.
• $1 million for our business improvement districts to support them and their work with small businesses.
• $500,000 for mental health and domestic violence providers who need additional support during this tough time for many folks.
• And additional funding for citywide and community health programs.

This funding will significantly help some of our most vulnerable neighbors and small businesses.

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In addition, we are using the $13 million from LA County to directly support our COVID health partnerships and testing.

We will continue to fight and advocate for Long Beach.

Go Long Beach,

Mayor Robert Garcia

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