ARPA Funds
The Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides direct allocations to local governments. Orange County is designated to receive approximately $28.8 million. The first drawdown of approximately $14.4 million was approved by the Board of Commissioners through a budget amendment on June 1, 2021. The second drawdown was approved Dec. 14, 2021.
ARPA funds must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024, and must be fully expended by Dec. 31, 2026. ARPA funds are intended to broadly address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals, government agencies, organizations and small businesses. Funds can be used to:
- Address Negative Economic Impacts
- Support the Public Health Response to COVID-19
- Provide Premium Pay for Essential Workers
- Improve Water and Sewer Infrastructure
- Improve Broadband Infrastructure
The Orange County Board of Commissioners will ultimately determine how the county spends its funds.
ARPA Funding Status Update
- Total Award: $28,839,722
- Total Approved in Round 1 (June 15, 2021): $8,283,869*
- Total Approved in Round 2 (Dec. 14, 2021): $3,345,793
- Total Approved in Round 3 (June 21, 2022) $12,759,162
- Total Remaining to be Distributed: $4,450,898
*$4,182,392 in previously approved projects were replaced with general fund support after new guidance from the Treasury Department deemed them ineligible or that reporting requirements would cause an undue burden on our local partners. These projects include Outside Agency funding, Visitor's Bureau revenue replacement, Sportsplex revenue replacement, and some Information Technologies projects.
Round 1 ARPA Allocations
| Department | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Department on Aging | Senior Lunch Program | $119,229 |
| Asset Management Services | Replacement Temporary Facility Modifications | $51,136 |
| County Manager | Restart the Arts | $100,000 |
| County Manager | Arts Commission Aid to Impacted Industries | $16,000 |
| Criminal Justice Resource Department | ARPA Grant Compliance Position | $38,751 |
| CJRD & Housing and Community Development | Street Outreach, Harm Reduction, and Deflection | $160,000 |
| Economic Development | Tourism and Hospitality Recovery | $150,000 |
| Durham Tech CC | Small Business Center | $70,000 |
| Housing and Community Development | Affordable Housing - Home Repairs | $120,000 |
| Housing and Community Development | Emergency Housing Assistance and Coordinator | $1,926,357 |
| Housing and Community Development | Housing Locator | $28,810 |
| Housing and Community Development | Eviction Diversion | $167,046 |
| Human Rights & Relations | Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Youth Program | $46,540 |
| Human Rights & Relations | Language Access Services | $15,000 |
| Information Technologies | Broadband Infrastructure Design and Implementation | $5,000,000 |
| Tax Administration/Housing and Community Development | Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program | $250,000 |
| Department of Social Services | Youth Enhancement Fund | $25,000 |
| Total allocated | $8,283,869 |
Round 2 ARPA Allocations
| Department | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Asset Management/Sheriff | Install Point Ionization equipment in new detention center | $68,800 |
| Economic Devel. | Tourism and Hospitality Recovery | $150,000 |
| Emergency Services | County First Responder Behavioral Health Program | $45,000 |
| Emergency Services | Powered Air Purifying Respirators ( PAPRS) | $124,000 |
| Finance Contract | ARPA Coordinator | $68,886 |
| Housing | Direct EHA Program Expenditures | $2,700,000 |
| Housing | Housing Helpline Coordinated Entry Specialist | $32,202 |
| Housing | Landlord Incentive Program | $55,000 |
| IT, Tax & Housing | Software to administer the LHAP | $8,905 |
| Social Services | Food and costs to support distribution and storage | $60,000 |
| Social Services | Stabilization Program for Former Foster Youth | $10,000 |
| Social Services | Support for Low Income Families | $25,000 |
| Total allocated | $3,345,793 |
Round 3 ARPA Allocations
| Department | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Resource Department | CJRD Diversion Conference | $11,000 |
| CJRD/Housing | Street Outreach, Harm Reduction, and Deflection (SOHRAD) | $119,922 |
| Department of Social Services | Countywide Food Distribution and Storage | $46,550 |
| Department of Social Services | Childcare Support Parent Fees | $540,000 |
| Fire Districts | P25 Phase II Compliant Radio Replacement | $2,562,300 |
| Housing | Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA), EHA Temporary Staff, and Coordinator | $4,201,041 |
| Housing | Housing Helpline Coordinated Entry Specialist | $205,090 |
| Housing | Housing Locator | $36,895 |
| Housing | Landlord Incentive Program | $20,000 |
| Information Technologies | Broadband Infrastructure Design and Implementation | $5,000,000 |
| Tax/Housing | Long Time Homeowner Assistance Program | $16,364 |
| Total allocated | $12,759,162 |