Council, Supervisor Barger to Discuss the Release of COVID-19 Funds

Two weeks ago, Pasadena  Mayor Victor Gordo said he was concerned about money for Pasadena from the president’s stimulus package going directly to the county for distribution.

Now the item will be up for discussion at Wednesday’s joint meeting with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. 

The city could receive $3 million in homeless assistance funds. Rental assistance funds would be distributed to the city from money received by L.A. County.

“I’m concerned those dollars are going directly to the county and not cities like Pasadena that bore the burden,” Gordo said. 

In September, the city announced that roughly $480,000 in Emergency Assistance Funds to help cover back rent of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic had been disbursed to local residents.

The city is scheduled to receive about $52 million from the $1.9 trillion stimulus package, with some of that money going to the county for distribution to cities. 

“The county does not have the best record of being responsive when it comes to resources entrusted to the county for the benefit of Pasadena,” Gordo said.

Assistant City Manager Julie Guttierez said the county could eligible for about $122 million.

“We’ve got to ensure Pasadena receives its fair share for our residents,” Gordo said. 

According to NBC News, $5 billion will be distributed across the country through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Fund under the CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Trump last March. The first phase of those funds is expected in late April, with the balance to be disbursed on a rolling basis.

More than half of the cities in the county will get their funding through the county’s allocation, while others will receive money directly from the federal government.