HomeMy WebLinkAboutAriel Dolen - COVID RELIEF FUNDS_RedactedFrom:Ariel Dolen
To:Public Comments
Subject:COVID RELIEF FUNDS
Date:Wednesday, August 19, 2020 4:35:44 AM
Hello my name is Ariel Dolen and I live in the city of San Bernardino. I am a community
member who has lived here for all 24 years of my life. While going to CSUSB, and after I
graduated last year, I have grown increasingly aware of the systematic issues that plague
not only our nation, but even the city that I am from. A city that I deeply care about. A
city that needs help especially now.
I am taking action in regards to San Bernardino’s Amended 2020-2021 Annual Action
Plan and the allocation of Federal COVID-19 Funding our City has received to address
the pandemic in our city.
The 2021 Annual Action Plan has allocations for various services and descriptions for
what they are to be spent on. However, the lack of detail in regards to specific structure,
framework, and measurable timelines does not speak to the level of accountability we
expect of our city and it’s leaders. In addition the Judicial Council’s delay on processing
eviction cases will cease September 1st, meaning that our community members who are
waiting for critical eviction prevention funds to be approved will likely be displaced before
their application could be processed.
We ask that you modify the language in our eviction moratorium to protect our
families from becoming homeless while our eviction prevention programs are
funded and put in place.
We ask that you ensure that the process for Rent Relief and Eviction
Prevention is fair, equitable, and efficient for immigrant families in our
community who have been excluded from prior relief funding when in
desperate need of support.
We ask that you work with our community to implement a working oversight
committee to maintain that the budget proposed in the Annual ActionPlan is
managed accordingly, and reported to the public. To ensure that our community’s
needs are being properly aided, and give our city the statistical data to effectively
adapt to our recovery moving forward.
We ask that the funding for the eviction prevention program be administered
through our direct service providers who are already doing the work as
opposed to San Bernardino County's Housing Authority.
This pandemic has hit our community hard and the proposed eviction prevention program
is a step in the right direction. It is our hope that you will go further to protect our families
in need as we learn to navigate this pandemic in an effective and equitable manner.
I have been a voter for the past 6 years, and along with my friends and family we are
paying close attention to the way in which these funds will be allocated to help those in
need.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to your community,
Ariel Dolen
Fifth Ward, San Bernardino