Overview
The American Rescue Plan Act provides direct grants to cities and counties. These resources give local governments flexibility to choose the investments that will deliver the greatest benefit to their communities. The economic impacts of COVID-19 reduced the amount of revenue the City brought in during 2020. For that reason, Portland's approach includes investments in City bureaus that provide core services, to make sure that those services can continue. Portland City Council also invested in a temporary staff team responsible for ensuring that Portland's Rescue Plan resources are used effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with the many rules and regulations that come with the award. This team is also developing a new approach to performance tracking and community reporting to meet the City's values of equity, accountability and transparency.
Who does this program serve?
This internal investment allows City bureaus to continue providing important programs, resources, and services to Portlanders. It also supports effective, efficient delivery of other Rescue Plan-funded projects, which serve a variety of Portlanders with a number of different resources.
Timeline
These funds are available through the life of the federal award, which runs through December 31, 2024.
How is this program funded?
The City of Portland has committed $36.8 million to this program. This money comes from the U.S. government’s 2021 American Rescue Plan local recovery funds. Portland will receive a total of $208 million from the American Rescue Plan and has until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend it. The City of Portland is spending money in three priority categories:
- Houselessness Response and Household Stabilization
- Small Business and Commercial District Stabilization
- Community Health and Safety
Read more about these investments in this article: American Rescue Plan: Investing in Portland
Who manages this program?
A number of City bureaus received Rescue Plan funds to make sure their services could continue. These bureaus include Parks and Recreation, Development Services, Transportation, Fire, and Police. The staff team supporting overall implementation of the award includes staff from a variety of bureaus including the Office of Equity and Human Rights, Planning and Sustainability, Government Relations, and the City's central bureau - Management and Finance.