Supplemental FEMA Funding Helps in Valley

FEMA funding provides dollars to communities all across the country to meet basic needs such as emergency shelter and food. Here in the Valley annual FEMA funding has been available for more than 25 years. The funding formula is based on unemployment figures in the area and varies from year to year. Valley United Way serves as the local coordinator for the program bringing together local providers to work on an equitable distribution of dollars that is then passed on for regional funding decisions in New Haven and Bridgeport.

This past year has been a remarkable one as funding to the Valley through the annual allocation reached a record breaking $96,446. You can see how the dollars were distributed on our website.

Needless to say, the additional funding could not have come at a better time as agencies are also reporting record demand for services.

We recently received notice that the the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT includes additional funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and the Valley is eligible for an additional $44,000 in funding. Agencies were invited to submit applications for the funds, and we held a local meeting to discuss the best use of the funds in light of the current situation in the Valley. Recommendations have been made for the effective distribution to cover the expenses for additional shelter, food and some limited rent & mortgage assistance. The actual funding decisions are being made by the regional coordinating councils which are facilitated by the United Ways in New Haven and Bridgeport. We will post the decisions on the United Way website as soon as they are finalized.

I want to thank the providers of emergency services in the Valley for their cooperation and coordination in making sure that the dollars available are put to the best possible use. The agencies do a great job in working together for the benefit of everyone in the community in need, and they should be commended for their efforts not only for what they do at their own agencies, but also for working so well with other agencies.