Local Organizations Award Housing Up Over $100,000 in COVID-19 Support
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many unprecedented challenges to Housing Up families, including loss of work, health obstacles, adjustment to virtual education & lack of childcare, among others. As these challenges continue to have a strong impact on the families we serve, we’ve been especially grateful to our partners for their generous support of our mission of housing families and transforming lives. We’re pleased to announce Housing Up has recently been awarded over $100,000 in critical funding from the following organizations:
DMPED Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program & Legacy Business Supplemental Fund
Housing Up was awarded nearly $10,000 from the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program & Legacy Business Supplemental Fund, both administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), between March and October 2020. Housing Up utilized these funds to cover increased security costs at our permanent support housing single sites and to provide personal protective equipment for staff due to COVID-19.
These programs were created by the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 on March 17, days after the public health emergency was declared in the District of Columbia. On October 28, the Bowser Administration, through DMPED, announced that the Legacy Business Supplemental Fund will designate $3.25 million of remaining funds from the Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program to support DC legacy businesses.
Greater Washington Community Foundation Fund for Children, Youth & Families
Housing Up received a grant of $42,000 from the Fund for Children, Youth, and Families (FFCYF), a component fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF). These critical general operating dollars will help ensure Housing Up families will continue to be supported throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
This fund, specifically, the Fund’s “Stable Homes Stable Families” program area, invests in families that are homeless or participating in housing-based service programs. In line with Housing Up’s values, FFCYF believes that finding appropriate housing is a primary condition of gaining family stability. Stabilizing families in crisis and enabling them to move toward self-sufficiency is essential in helping them reach their full potential.
The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
The Cafritz foundation awarded Housing Up $50,000 in general operating support in October 2020. As we approach the end of 2020 and begin planning for the needs of the families we serve in the coming year, this funding will allow Housing Up to be flexible and meet our families where they are.
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is the largest private, independent, local foundation focused exclusively on the Washington, DC metropolitan area. They are committed to creating a stronger community for DMV residents, which is why one of their program areas focus on affordable housing production and preservation, homeless services, permanent supportive housing, among others. Read more about The Cafritz Foundation here.
We are sincerely grateful for these organizations’ continued support, especially during this time of high need for the families we serve. Thank you!