COVID Stimulus Details for Planners

A Twitter thread by APA Advocates calls attention to the inclusions in the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, approved by Congress on Monday of this week.

The Twitter thread includes a breakdown of spending included in the $900 billion stimulus package, including $14 billion for public transit agencies (down from the $15 billion that was considered in negotiations), $10 billion for state departments of transportation, and $1 billion for Amtrak.

In terms of the real estate market and the looming eviction and mortgage crisis facing many Americans, the bill includes $25 billion in emergency assistance to renters and extends the federal eviction moratorium until January 31.

The Twitter thread lists a few other of the funding allotments included in the bill, while also noting what's missing, namely, direct relief for local and state governments.

One key inclusion of note that might seem like a wildcard: the bill included the Water Resources Development Act, which "expands #resiliency, green infrastructure & #EnvironmentalJustice provisions; a modified energy bill that expands clean energy; and a climate measure," according to APA Advocates.

More discussion of the relief bill can be found at the #coronabus hashtag on Twitter, and Planetizen will continue to provide updates of the most informative analysis and commentary on the bill.