Ledes from the Land of Enchantment

City Gives $ 4.1 Million To Previously Overlooked Communities – City Of Albuquerque

September 16, 2021

The city of Albuquerque announced that over $ 4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be allocated to families previously excluded from government stimulus aid. Mayor Keller and Economic Development Director Damian Lara attended a virtual town hall in Spanish hosted by El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, a grassroots immigrant rights and workers’ justice organization that is working with Latin American immigrant communities to publicize the fund . Applications for the CABQ Community Impact Fund 2021 are now possible.

“Underserved communities were hardest hit during the pandemic and yet too many key federal incentives have been missed,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Albuquerque’s immigrant community is as much a part of our city and our recovery as anyone else, and we are taking direct action to ensure they can recover from the pandemic.”

The CABQ Community Impact Fund 2021 can provide $ 1,000 in stimulus funds for families residing in Albuquerque who:

  • Has not received a federal stimulus check;
  • Was not entitled to unemployment benefit or paid sickness benefit;
  • Experience with at least 20 hours per week or more reduced working hours leading to financial distress;
  • Among other things, had a household income of less than $ 75,000.

The city is working with community-based organizations to educate the public about this new funding, including El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, the Asian Family Center, Partnership for Community Action, Encuentro, Enlace Comunitario, and APS Family Resource Liaisons.

“We are proud that the city has allocated ARPA dollars to help those excluded from federal aid and recognize the vital contributions of all burqueños, including important immigrants,” said Marian Méndez Cera from the Center for Equality and Rights“Real economic recovery at the federal, state and local levels must be inclusive and this is a step in the right direction.”

“Mayor Keller’s administration stepped up last year to provide $ 2.5 million in economic aid to Albuquerque immigrant communities and the response has been overwhelming,” said Damian R. Lara, interim director of the city’s economic development department. “We are increasing the fund and pledging to put these resources in the hands of the families in our community that have been overlooked.”

In December 2020, the city of Albuquerque launched the first CABQ Community Impact Fund, which distributed nearly $ 2.5 million in CARES Act funds to families who were not eligible for government stimulus aid. The fund reached its maximum number of applications in just one day.

Only one applicant per household can apply. Further information can be found at cabq.gov/ImpactFund2021.

Comments are closed.