By Kyle Dante

President Joe Biden and his cabinet released the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021. ARPA backs federal workers with a wage increase for those making less than $75,000. It also supports businesses in hiring more people if hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Concerning Somerville, ARPA gave a collective total of $77.5million in 2021. Of that amount, $61.7 million went to the city. The remaining $16.8 million came from Middlesex County and passed to Somerville. All funding obligations under the City Council need fulfillment on December 31, 2024; funds also must get spent by December 31, 2026. For more information on funding details, visit stories.opengov.com. More specifically, the relation to Somerville.

At the brief Financial Meeting on April 12, the City Council gave an idea of financial spending. Of the $75.5 million, $10,078,200 is committed. The money went to public health, youth services, basic needs, and the ARPA council administration. Most plans build off previous Covid-19 concerns. Concerns include emergency staffing, rapid tests, park hand sanitizer stations, and contact tracing.

Most of the money is for youth services. Attributing $6.1 million, ARPA assists childcare tuition. It also allows summer youth camps, which were once impossible from Covid-19 restrictions. $2 million is universal base income, a work in progress. Housing has $1 million provided in its rental services. In case of difficulty housing, there are also legal services and emergency hotels.

The goal for Somerville is to help the community. Covid-19 impacted the American economy. Not only with staff shortages but financial stability. People do not want to walk into a job at minimum to low wage. It is unaffordable, forcing one to take more jobs to make a living. As a result, it deemphasizes other priorities.

Education falters due to teacher salaries. With few social workers and psychologists, mental health remains an issue. The lack of staffing and representation is impacting all parties. Consumers have their needs, and the workers have nigh impossible demands for their money.

It is crucial to take part in how Covid-19 impacted the community. In a survey administered, 57% of the Somerville residents polled make under $100,000. Of those surveyed, 12% of Somerville respondents live in Davis Square. East Somerville, Union Square, and Winter Hill each represent 11% of the respondents, making up 33% of the surveyed. (See graph for percent of how each area responded to the survey.)

In essence, it is felt that there is much to do. ARPA Director Austin Faison or ARPA Specialist Erica Satin-Hernandez are reachable by email.

ARPA survey demographics concerning Somerville.