CDBG-CV: Coronavirus Response Funding

Overview

The City of Billings was awarded Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding (CDBG-CV) to support coronavirus response for low-income individuals and families in Billings. The City is required to coordinate with state and local health authorities before undertaking any activity to support state or local pandemic response. Activities must: exclusively prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus (i.e., SARS-CoV-2 or another coronavirus with pandemic potential); primarily benefit low-income individuals and families in Billings; and avoid duplication of other local, state, or federal service or support to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Social Services

  • The Salvation Army: $55,000 - Food delivery, food boxes, etc. for those experiencing homelessness. 
  • Chinook Horses: $15,000 -  Mental health equestrian therapy for low-income residents.
  • Head Start Explorers Academy $15,000 - Information technology software and support to facilitate distance learning for children.
  • Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools: $12,000 - Childhood literacy programming and backpack meals. 
  • Gratitude in Action:  $10,000 - Housing subsistence payments for low-income individuals impacted by the pandemic to live in a sober living home and to provide Wi-Fi access to facilitate employment services. 
  • Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley $15,000 - Emergency diaper assistance for families experiencing homelessness.
  • Alternatives, Inc.:  
    • $15,000 - Improved access to mental health services through information technology development for low-income residents.
    • $47,000 - Strengthen information technology and app development to provide mental health treatment options, at a distance, to low-income clients. 

Public Facilities

  • North Park: $551,000 - Public restroom and water fountain with touchless fixtures; shade structure / shelter; adult exercise equipment; concrete repair; and touchless fixtures and airflow upgrades to the community building to promote health and provide social distancing options.
  • Comanche Park: $240,000 - Replace playground equipment and provide accessibility upgrades. 
  • Pioneer Park: $184,000 - Heritage trail replacement and restroom upgrades including touchless fixtures. 
  • Downtown Billings Business Improvement District: $117,715 - New public handwashing station / restroom in downtown Billings.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Yellowstone County: $140,000 - Renovate an insufficient front reception area to provide room for social distancing. 
  • School District 2: $313,300 - Replace an insufficient HVAC system at Washington Elementary School to improve indoor air quality and ventilation to improve public health and prevent spread of coronavirus.