Covington, Kentucky, is seeking social service providers to allocate nearly $700,000 for aiding vulnerable populations. This initiative is part of the Northern Kentucky HOME Consortium's efforts, which includes Newport, Dayton, Bellevue, Ludlow, Erlanger, Florence, and Independence. The City has released a request for proposals (RFP) to utilize federal funds from the American Rescue Plan.
John Hammons, Covington’s CDBG/HOME Program Coordinator, explained that these funds are intended for a variety of services across the eight cities. During consultations with 14 local agencies and public feedback sessions over several months, stakeholders highlighted priority needs such as supportive services like case management and mental health support. Other areas include homelessness prevention through programs like shelter diversion and rent assistance.
Hammons stated: “We know that our non-profits are doing a lot of really good work, but we’re not looking to use these one-time funds for ongoing services.” He emphasized this as an opportunity for creativity in addressing unmet needs or expanding current offerings.
Proposals must be submitted by 10 a.m. on May 5. The Consortium plans to announce awards by July when they hope to see programs or services start implementation. Funds can be utilized in any participating city.
The American Rescue Plan awarded the Consortium $2,044,421 in March 2021 to assist families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable groups. The funding supports affordable housing development and tenant-based rental assistance among other activities.
Following extensive engagement with agencies and the public throughout 2023, the Consortium developed the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan allocating $695,103 specifically for supportive services and housing counseling. This RFP aims to enact part of that plan.