Rep. TJ Cox announces $11.6 million to fight COVID-19 and homelessness in Valley

This funding, coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will also be used to help individuals at risk of becoming homeless because of hardships such as job loss, wage reduction, or illness due to COVID-19. This funding is in addition to the $1 billion of ESG grants announced after the passing of the CARES Act by Congress.
Bakersfield County will receive roughly $3.5 million, Fresno County $3.4 million, and Kern County $4.7 million in allocated funding which can be used to:
- Make more emergency shelters available for homeless individuals and families,
- Operate emergency shelters by providing food, rent, security, maintenance, repair, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, furnishings, and supplies necessary for their operation,
- Provide Hotel/Motel Vouchers for homeless families and individuals,
- Provide essential services to people experiencing homelessness including childcare, education services, employment assistance, outpatient health services, legal services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, transportation, and
- Prevent individuals from becoming homeless and rapidly rehouse homeless individuals.
Congress provided $4 billion for HUD’s ESG program for local governments to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, receiving homeless assistance, or are at risk of becoming homeless. In total, HUD has allocated $3.96 billion in ESG funding to impacted communities in every U.S. state and territory, and the remainder $40 million is being utilized to provide technical assistance to build the capacity of grantees in those communities receiving ESG funding.
Seeking History
- Local congressman, with Republican help, gets language in Senate veterans' bill
- Local congressman, TJ Cox, releases 2020 mid-year report of district accomplishments
- Local Rep. TJ Cox joins California delegation in urging USDA to help feed seniors
- Rep. TJ Cox introduces bipartisan bill to confront threat of methamphetamines
- Congressman Cox secures federal funding for under served communities in Central Valley
- Local officials sign letter urging next COVID-19 aid package includes funding for local government