Dr. Luis Daniel Muñoz proposal for spending 10% of RI's $1.13 B in ARPA funds.
Community Services
$5M Community grants for community driven mutual aid work (includes all covid, rent relief, and education outreach efforts)
$1M rapid job retraining program for retired healthcare workers and first responders
$500k broadband - hire and planning
$500k free wifi pilot (12 months in areas in Providence and Woonsocket)
Child and Youth Services
$4M Child care services grants (startups, stabilization)
$3M DCYF employee supports
$2M Mental health resources in schools
$2M Early childhood development programs
Affordable Housing
$46M low income and affordable housing (Phase 1)
- $40M - Acquire and Renovate Superman Building (by Eminent Domain, if necessary)
- Low Income + Affordable Units
- Housing all community organizations conducting mutual aid in building
- $6M - Multifamily Low Income Housing Purchases
$8M Homelessness
- Shelters (South County + Providence)
- Small housing units
Public Transportation
$7M Free RIPTA Bus Fares for Essential Workers and Historically Underserved Communities (A pilot towards comprehensive free busing system)
Business Services
$20M Supplemental Wage Program (Pilot Phase - 1200 people, up to $1280/month, up to 12 months)
- Program works through employers with a preference towards micro - and small - business employees conducting essential work, and other prioritized work areas.
- Prioritize: Child care workers and essential workers in healthcare, first responders, education, food service industry
$5M Business COVID Support
$5M Direct grants to micro-businesses
$2M Grants to hospitality, tourism, travel
$2M Hazard Pay for essential works and healthcare workers
For the remaining 90%, we will prioritize healthcare infrastructure towards a comprehensive and free community health system, education funding to address early education, language learning services, and a statewide after-school program, and in proportion to the needs defined by allocation of the 10% described, we will allocate additional funds to affordable housing, public transportation, and business programs that support micro-businesses and minimum wage earners.