LI to get another $18M in federal grants to address virus issues

WASHINGTON — Long Island will get about $18 million in additional federal grants from the $2.2 trillion CARES Act passed to address the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Wednesday.

Overall, nearly $300 million in these funds will go to New York from a $3 billion national allotment, the first installment that will be followed by an additional $9.1 billion after officials determine formulas for distribution, HUD said in news release.

The funds go directly to counties and towns, which need them because of expenses arising from COVID-19 and a loss of revenues during the response to mitigate the pandemic, said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who pushed to add the HUD money to the CARES Act.

“They’re hit with a double whammy, and this is not going to solve the problem, but it will certainly cushion the blow,” Schumer said in a phone interview.

“This kind of money gets through very quickly. They announced they're going to do it today. We’ll see,” he said. “It should be very soon, and we will stay on them to make sure.”

The funds fall into three categories.

Block grants to help states, communities and nonprofits will deliver $198.8 million to New York overall and $13 million to Long Island.

Emergency solutions grants to help the homeless will send $95.7 million to New York overall and $5.5 million to Long Island.

And grants to help people with HIV or AIDS will bring $7.5 million to New York and $316,249 to Long Island.

On Long Island, Nassau will get the biggest amount — $12.8 million, with $8.5 million in community development block grants and $4.25 million for emergency solutions grants.

HUD will distribute nearly $2.3 million to Brookhaven Town, including the only grant to Long Island for people with AIDS or HIV.

The other allotments to Long Island include $835,866 for Suffolk County, $643,040 for Babylon Town, and $510,015 for Huntington Town.