Local Government Stimulus Information

The Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF) is intended to relieve the stress on the commercial paper market caused by the pandemic, which has chilled investors and prompted high interest rates on longer-term notes, such as those with maturities of three months, as noted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

The CPFF will enhance the liquidity of commercial paper by increasing the availability of term funding to issuers and by providing greater assurance to issuers and investors that firms and municipalities can roll over their maturing paper.

The facility will do this through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will buy eligible three-month unsecured commercial paper and asset-backed commercial paper from eligible issuers, including municipal governments. The New York Fed will provide this financing to the SPV.

The SPV will hold the commercial paper until it matures, and use proceeds from the paper and other assets to repay its loan to the New York Fed. The U.S. Treasury will make a $10 billion equity investment in the SPV.

Questions may be emailed to CPFF@ny.frb.org, and you may sign up for email alerts about changes to CPFF documents.

Program Name:

Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF)

Description:

The MLF’s immediate purpose is to enhance the liquidity of the primary short-term municipal securities market through the purchase at issuance of tax anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes and similar short-term notes from eligible issuers (defined below). An issuer’s proceeds from the sale of these notes to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) can in turn be used to support its political subdivisions and public authorities, among other uses.

The MLF will provide a form of cash management financing to eligible issuers. In doing so, it will help restore confidence in the municipal securities market by providing a liquidity backstop to issuers of eligible notes. The U.S. Treasury secretary, using funds appropriated to the Exchange Stabilization Fund under Section 4027 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), will make an initial equity investment of $35 billion in the SPV. The SPV can purchase up to $500 billion of eligible notes.

Agency Administering Program:

U.S. Department of Treasury

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York

PFM Financial Advisors LLC and BLX Group LLC will serve as administrative agents.

Types of Eligible Local Government Entities:

States, cities, counties and multi-state entities

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible issuers include U.S. states and the District of Columbia, cities with populations exceeding 250,000 and counties with populations exceeding 500,000. Population is determined by the most recent U.S. Census.

Multi-state entities (corporations created by a compact between two or more states and approved by Congress) also may qualify.

Grant or Loan:

Loan

Municipal Liquidity Facility Sample Purchase Rates

Funds Available:

An aggregate amount of 20 percent of the general and utility revenue from own sources for fiscal 2017.

Amount of Funds Available for Texas:

State Government – $16,703,623,000

Municipal Governments – varies (see Federal Reserve Municipal Facility Limit per State)

Deadline(s):

The MLF’s termination date is Dec. 31, 2020.

How to Apply:

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a Notice of Interest (NOI) for eligible issuers to express their interest in selling notes to the SPV, the Municipal Liquidity Facility LLC. Filling out the NOI is the first step issuers must take to provide their eligibility information for review by the SPV. An eligible issuer should submit an NOI only when it has determined its financial needs.

If the MLF’s administrative agent determines the NOI is complete and the issuer meets the program’s eligibility requirements, it will send an approval email and invitation to complete a program application.

Sources:

• U.S.Federal Reserve
  • https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/muni.htm
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York
  • https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/municipal-liquidity-facility
  • https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/municipal-liquidity-facility/municipal-liquidity-facility-faq
  • https://www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/media/markets/municipal-liquidity-facility-eligible-issuers
• National Conference of State Legislatures
  • https://www.ncsl.org/ncsl-in-dc/publications-and-resources/municipal-liquidity-facility637226319.aspx

Program Name:

Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF)

Description:

Provides funding for necessary expenditures due to the public health emergency concerning the coronavirus (COVID–19) incurred from March 1, 2020, through December 30, 2020, which were not accounted for in the state or local government budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act).

Agency Administering Program:

U.S. Treasury

Texas Governor’s Office

Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)

Type of Eligible Local Government Entity:

Cities and counties

Eligibility Criteria:

• Six cities and 12 counties in Texas with populations exceeding 500,000 in the most recent census received a direct payment of funds from the U.S. Treasury. Cities not eligible to receive a direct payment from the U.S. Treasury but located in a county that DID receive a direct payment should work with their county for CRF funding. A list of Texas entities receiving a direct payment can be found at: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Payments-to-States-and-Units-of-Local-Government.pdf
• The remaining 242 counties, and each city within those counties, are eligible to apply to TDEM for a share of funds.

Grant or Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

• Texas Received: $11.24 billion
• Texas Jurisdictions w/Direct U.S. Treasury Payments (Populations 500,000+): $3.2 billion
• Texas Jurisdictions (Not Receiving Direct U.S. Treasury Payments): $1.85 billion
  • Texas cities and counties not eligible for a direct payment from the U.S. Treasury can apply to the state for a per capita allocation from the remaining $1.85 billion allocated to Texas by the CRF. These cities and counties will be allocated $55 per capita. Twenty percent of each jurisdiction’s allocation will be made available immediately upon certification that the grant terms will be followed. After providing documentation for the initial funding, jurisdictions will be able to access the remainder of their allocation on a reimbursement basis.

Deadline(s):

There is no current deadline to apply for funds, but local governments should be aware that under the federal requirements any funds received have to be expended by December 30, 2020 or returned to the federal government.

How to Apply/Application:

Texas jurisdictions not receiving a direct U.S. Treasury payment can apply at https://tdem.texas.gov/crf.

For More Information:

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares

https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/Counties_Cities_CRF_Final.pdf

https://tdem.texas.gov/crf/

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Coronavirus-Relief-Fund-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf

Program Name:

Poison Control Centers

Description:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided additional funding to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund administered by U.S. Department of Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA).

Under the CARES Act, HRSA has received $5 million to improve the nationwide capacity of poison control centers to respond to increased calls. Recipients of HRSA-funded Poison Control Program (PCP) awards may use the funding to enhance readiness and training to respond to and manage any increased volume of phone calls related to COVID-19-related poisoning.

Agency Administering Program:

U.S. Department of Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Type of Eligible Local Government Entity:

Poison control centers, specifically those in the HRSA-funded Poison Control Program (PCP)

Eligibility Criteria:

HRSA gave 52 awards to the 55 poison centers throughout the U.S. The award criteria were not specified.

Grant or Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

Poison Control Center Recipient	City	Award Amount
Texas Panhandle Poison Center	Amarillo	$19,719
West Texas Regional Poison Center	El Paso	$20,722
Central Texas Poison Center	Temple	$46,616
South Texas Poison Center	San Antonio	$71,236
Southeast Texas Poison Center	Galveston	$106,622
North Texas Poison Center	Dallas	$120,977

Amount of Funds Available for Texas (Cumulative):

HRSA granted $385,892 to Texas’ six poison control centers.

Deadline(s):

N/A

How to Apply/Application:

Funds were allocated by HRSA on April 23, 2020

For More Information:

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/04/23/hhs-awards-nearly-5-million-to-poison-control-centers-as-calls-spike-due-to-covid19.html

Program Name:

Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs); the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Description:

Supplemental Funding for Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) programs, over and above funding allocated by prior appropriation for fiscal 2020.

CBDG (CARES) funds may be used to:

• construct medical facilities for testing and treatment;
• acquire a motel or hotel building to expand the capacity of hospitals to accommodate isolation of patients during recovery;
• replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to temporarily transform commercial buildings or closed school buildings into clinics or treatment centers;
• support businesses manufacturing medical supplies;
• construct group living facilities for patients undergoing treatment; and
• train health care workers and technicians to treat disease within a community.

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESGs) may be used to:

• build emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families;
• provide rent, maintenance and repairs, security, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, food, furnishings and supplies needed to operate emergency shelters;
• provide hotel/motel vouchers for homeless families or individuals;
• provide essential services to people experiencing homelessness, including childcare, education services, outreach, employment assistance, outpatient health services, legal services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services and transportation; and
• prevent individuals from becoming homeless and rapidly rehouse homeless individuals

Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds may be used to:

• provide rental and utility assistance and other short-term lodging assistance to address the isolation and self-quarantine needs of persons with HIV/AIDS and their household members;
• ensure access to HIV medical care and treatment, chemical dependency treatment and mental health treatment;
• provide nutritional services and assistance with daily living for persons with compromised immune systems; and
• support job training and placement assistance.

Agency Administering Program:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Types of Eligible Local Government Entity:

Cities and counties

Eligibility Criteria:

CDBG funds generally are allocated through two separate formula processes. About 70 percent of these funds are granted to cities and counties through the CDBG Entitlement Program. Eligible grantees for this program are:

• principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas;
• other metropolitan cities with populations of at least 50,000; and
• qualified urban counties with populations of at least 200,000 (not including entitlement city populations).

The remaining 30 percent of CDBG program funds are granted to states based on a separate formula allocation, for disbursement to communities that do not qualify for entitlement funds.

Eligibility and funding for entitlement cities and counties is established by the formula used to allocate fiscal 2019 CBDG funds. No application is necessary.

Funding for non-entitlement cities and counties is given at the discretion of the state. No application or criteria have been established.

Grant of Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

See spreadsheet at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/budget/fy20/.

Amount of Funds for Texas (Cumulative):

Entitlement Communities — $103,978,626

Non-Entitlement Communities — $40,000,886

Deadline(s):

For entitlement communities, funding is automatic.

For non-entitlement communities, deadline to be determined by the agency the state assigns to oversee the program in Texas. No deadline has been established.

How to Apply/Application:

For entitlement communities, funds are allocated automatically.

Texas has not yet published an application form or criteria for non-entitlement communities.

For More Information:

https://www.hud.gov/

Program Name:

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (CARES Act)

Description:

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) works through local recipient organizations (LROs) such as the Red Cross and the United Way to fund food, lodging, rent, mortgage, utility bill payments, related transportation costs, minimal repairs to related facilities, supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter eligible clients.

Agency Administering Program:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Type of Eligible Local Government Entity:

Eligible LROs include governmental and nonprofit local social services organizations.

Eligibility Criteria:

Local boards use established criteria to determine LRO eligibility. An eligible LRO must provide assistance to needy individuals without discrimination based on age, race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, economic status or sexual orientation. They must be sensitive to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes; attentive to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illnesses; and able to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits.

Grant of Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

Subject to determination of EFSP National Board.

Amount of Funds Available for Texas (Cumulative):

Approximately $17,235,000 (CARES Act)

Deadline:

Jurisdictional allocations were scheduled to be announced on Friday, May 1, 2020.

How to Apply/Application:

When a jurisdiction is funded, the local board must advertise the availability of funds. Local organizations, whether nonprofit or governmental, may apply. The local board is responsible for considering all applications and determining which organizations will receive funds. The local board also determines which services are funded. Contact the National Board to determine which local board serves your community. There is no national application process.

For More Information:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/24422

Program Name:

Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAGs); Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CARES Act)

Description:

Funds flow directly to state and local government entities to support criminal justice needs related to the Coronavirus. No local matching funds are required. The program grants broad expenditure discretion. Examples of eligible expenditures may include overtime pay, personal protective equipment and supplies, medical needs and other similar supplies for inmates in state and local prisons, jails and detention centers. Allowable expenditures are retroactive to January 20, 2020.

Agency Administering Program:

Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance

Type of Eligible Local Government Entity:

Cities and counties

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible entities must have successfully applied for funding under the 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. See a list of eligible entities at https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-allocations-tx.pdf.

Grant of Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

See potential allocations at https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-allocations-tx.pdf.

Amount of Funds Available for Texas (Cumulative):

$24,592,948

Deadline(s):

11:59 p.m. ET, May 29, 2020

How to Receive Funds/Apply:

See https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/bja-2020-18553.pdf.

For More Information:

https://Bja.ojp.gov

Program Name:

Public Housing Operating Fund

Description:

Provides supplemental funding to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus. Funds may be used to maintain normal operations and take other necessary actions during the period in which the program is affected by coronavirus.

Agency Administering Program:

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Type of Eligible Local Government Entity:

Public Housing Authorities

Eligibility Criteria:

Only participants in a public housing program are eligible. Texas has more than 400 PHAs.

Grant of Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

Funds will be distributed in accordance with the Public Housing Operating Fund formula.

Amount of Funds Available for Texas (Cumulative):

Approximately $22.8 million

Deadline:

Funds will be distributed automatically by May 31.

How to Receive Funds/Apply:

Not Applicable

For More Information:

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/ExplanOblgandCovid19.pdf

Program Name:

Community Health Centers, Public Law 116-123 and CARES Act

Description:

Public Law 116-123 and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provide funding to help community health centers detect coronavirus; prevent, diagnose and treat it; and maintain or increase health capacity and staffing levels.

Agency Administering Program:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Type of Eligible Local Government Entity:

HRSA-funded community health centers

Eligibility Criteria:

Only Health Center Program awardees are eligible for COVID-19 supplemental funding. Texas has 72 eligible community health centers.

Grant of Loan:

Grant

Funds Available:

Under Public Law 116-123, HRSA used the following distribution formula:

• base value of $50,464, plus
• $0.50 per patient reported in the 2018 Uniform Data System (UDS), plus
• $2.50 per uninsured patient reported in the 2018 UDS.

Under the CARES Act, HRSA used the following distribution formula:

• base value of $503,000, plus
• $15 per patient reported in the 2018 UDS, plus
• $30 per uninsured patient reported in the 2018 UDS.

Amount of Funds Available for Texas (Cumulative):

• $5,897,008 to support 72 health centers (Public Law 116-123)
• $76,701,360 to support 72 health centers (CARES Act)

Deadline:

Funds available under Public Law 116-123 were allocated on April 23, 2020.

Funds available under the CARES Act may be claimed by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 8, 2020.

How to Apply:

Community health centers should use the HRSA Electronic Handbooks portal to claim funds.

https://grants.hrsa.gov/webexternal/home.asp

For More Information:

https://bphc.hrsa.gov/program-opportunities/cares-supplemental-funding