American Rescue Plan Act

The City of Richmond is investing federal ARPA funds awarded as part of COVID-19 relief.

In 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA included a variety of economic incentives to address the impacts of COVID-19. The City of Richmond was allocated $27.7million in relief funds. To date the City of Richmond has committed $10.5million from these funds; about $17.2 million remain to be invested. The Richmond City Council seeks to invest these funds to address the immediate needs of impacted local residents and businesses. These funds will build on Richmond's long-term economic vitality and resilience.

Community input is needed as part of a city-wide Community Needs Assessment. The City is doing an assessment that relates to the entire community of Richmond. The City Council is committed to promoting equity through the Investment of Its ARPA funds.

American Rescue Plan Act funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.

If you want to learn more about ARPA and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury page on Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

  1. Community Needs Assessment
  2. State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program

Community Needs Assessment (CNA)

Per ARPA Interim rules, Treasury includes language stating that governments may use ARPA funds to engage in planning and analysis in order to improve programs addressing the COVID19 pandemic, through use of targeted consumer outreach, improvements to data, or technology infrastructure, impact evaluations, and data analysis. The Interim Rules also mention the desire for jurisdictions to use ARPA funds to provide equity-focused services and serve the hardest-hit communities and families. 

The City of Richmond will be conducting a community needs assessment to evaluate current assets and determine community needs/gaps in services or programs that can be provided to Richmond residents through the use of ARPA funds. The CNA will be based on, but not limited to input on; 

  • how to spend ARPA funds, 
  • understanding community needs and assets, and 
  • understanding needs based on the hardest hit/most impacted communities. 

Community engagement is essential to the development of the Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Investment Plan. The City collected preliminary ARPA input in April 2021, and other assessments, reports, surveys, etc. have been conducted which might help to inform this work. Information collected through this CNA will increase the City’s understanding of the types of challenges faced by Richmond residents as a result of COVID-19 (i.e. the impact of the end of federal unemployment benefits, the exacerbated housing crises, and other challenges that are unique to the current moment). The CNA will also provide opportunities for supporting the community’s voice, highlight the types of services needed, and ensure our recovery assistance is designed to best meet the needs of our community. The information generated as a result of the CNA may also be used to guide and/or inform other Council priorities and City work.