See updates on the DCHS projects developed under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that resulted in a $59.4 million allocation to the City of Alexandria to support businesses, basic needs for families, pandemic recovery efforts and long-term community investment. DCHS programs and staff supported a wide range of ARPA projects and programs.

DCHS partnered with organizations and departments across the city to create the Eviction Prevention Task Force. The group developed and implemented key strategies to respond to the eviction crisis. The Task Force has prevented 54% of pending evictions since its inception in 2020. In addition, two new eviction prevention positions were developed: a Housing Relocator and a Service Navigator. These positions provide key supports to families facing housing instability. The Homeless Services Assessment Center connected 200 households facing housing instability with resources and provided rent assistance to 630 households.
 

A newly created Food Security Coordinator position was developed to oversee food security efforts including gathering data on needs, creating a baseline report on food security and access in Alexandria, and partnering with community organizations to connect all eligible Alexandrians to SNAP and other food resources. Non-profit partner ALIVE! established a Food Hub in the West End to provide a more accessible and culturally responsive approach to food security.

ARISE is a guaranteed income pilot that seeks to build an inclusive, affordable and livable city for all. Through ARISE, 170 participants will be randomly selected to receive $500 per month for 24 months. During FY 2022, the City held public information sessions, conducted focus groups with potential ARISE applicants, finalized a contract with Abt Associates as the City’s research and evaluation partner and made final decisions about the pilot design and eligibility criteria. These foundational steps paved the way for a pilot launch in early FY23.

Initiatives to build equitable services and increase awareness of City services for LGBTQ+ communities and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) included 16 trainings for 169 service providers on inclusive services, new by-laws and leadership roles for the LGBTQ+ Task Force, the Transgender Day of Visibility workshop and Pride Fair, and development of the Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program Race and Social Equity Work Group for employees working to advance equity for survivors of violence.

The Child Care-Micro Pod-Workforce Support Program provided CARES Act grants from the City of Alexandria to licensed and regulated providers that were in danger of closing or who had a business in recovery due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. DCHS pre-awarded grants to 30 childcare programs for 1) families to access viable childcare options 2) to support virtual learning; 3) to implement COVID-19 precautions and 4) to ensure equity of access for families with non-traditional work hours and essential workers. 131 families and 165 children were served.

The Workforce Development Center operated re-employment and upskilling programs that served 338 unemployed or underemployed people. During the one-year Work-Based Learning Initiative (WBL), 50 clients were placed with employers for learning opportunities. Of these, 19 people became permanent hires, earning an average wage of $24.43 an hour. The WBL also helped mitigate the staffing shortages and resulting capacity issues experienced by community non-profits.

Community non-profits worked with DCHS to help Alexandrians navigate and apply for public assistance programs and access emergency aid for such things as childcare, job training, rent assistance, food, medical bills and transportation.

Learn more about all ARPA-funded City projects and goals.