Intergovernmental partnerships key for future of work, housing

Key Takeaways

The country needs to move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic in order to solve challenges within the workforce, according to Department of Labor Chief Innovation Officer Chike Aguh.

“We can’t solve the economy without solving COVID,” he told NACo’s Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee Monday, March 8 during the 2021 NACo Virtual Legislative Conference. 

While the American Rescue Plan, which passed in the Senate, is the largest investment in American people in the country’s history, with $350 billion in aid to state and local governments and $65 billion directly to county governments, there are millions of Americans still facing unemployment in the wake of the pandemic. 

Aguh discussed the future of work, describing how green jobs and fighting climate change can be a boon for economic disadvantaged communities. 

The department is focusing on workforce development training to provide the skills needed to ensure every American is prepared for a job that is growing in their area and working to establish tools that better inform employees of what jobs are available. 

“If we do our jobs right, whether it be from the federal government, U.S. Department of Labor, the county level and all the way in between, we can change a lot more lives even in this time of challenge,” Aguh said. 

Meanwhile, Virginia Sardone, director of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Affordable Housing Programs, told conference attendees that the American Rescue Plan includes $5 billion of funding specifically to serve populations of homeless households or individuals, those at risk of homelessness, individuals who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence and other populations at risk of homelessness or at risk of housing instability.

The $5 billion will be appropriated through the regular formula used to distribute HOME funds. Counties that received regular HOME funds in 2020 will receive a grant for the special supplemental home funds in the American Rescue Plan, Sardone said.

Activities that can be funded through the legislation include the development of affordable housing, tenant-based rental assistance, homeless prevention services, other supportive services and the acquisition, rehab or construction for non-congregate shelters such as hotels that are available for purchase. 

“I think the questions that you need to ask yourself right now are out of these eligible activities that are possible under this funding source, what would be the activities or the mix of activities that are most appropriate in your county?” she advised committee members. 

National Community Development Association Executive Director Vicki Watson promoted National Community Development Week, a social media messaging campaign set for April 5-9. 

The purpose of the week is to recognize the importance and impact of Community Development Block Grants and the HOME programs, educate Congress and harness grassroots engagements.