News Release - Virtual Community Update to Feature City’s COVID-19 CARES Act Funding, More,

City of Rochester

News Release

(Tuesday, October 20, 2020) – City Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner Gary Kirkmire will conduct a virtual community update, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 22 to discuss the City’s use of $12.7 million in CARES Act funding for COVID-19 relief for city residents and businesses. In addition, Commissioner Kirkmire will discuss the City’s new suite of programs to help city renters and landlords as well as the City’s property rehabilitation grant programs.

“These community updates allow residents to hear firsthand from City leadership about the programs and help available, and ask questions directly of our experts,” said Mayor Warren. “This is the latest in our efforts to educate and assist our community as we continue to recover from the pandemic together.”

The City’s new programs to assist landlords and tenants during the Coronavirus pandemic include direct payments for emergency rent assistance; the provision of free legal assistance to all tenants facing eviction; and grants to landlords to repair affordable-housing rental units and get them on the market as soon as possible.

Residents can watch the live presentation and ask questions by joining a Zoom webinar at www.cityofrochester.gov/virtualcommunityupdate promptly at 6:30 p.m. Those who simply want to watch can view the event’s live stream, and watch it after-the-fact on the City’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/CityofRochesterVideos. Those without internet access can listen in live by calling toll free (877) 853-5247 using webinar ID: 941 7205 7682.

Mayor Lovely Warren has asked members of her management team to conduct a series of Virtual Community Updates to keep residents informed about the City’s activities, programs, services and developments. Commissioner Daniele Lyman-Torres kicked off the series last week with a presentation on the City’s new Crisis Intervention Services Office. Her presentation can be replayed at www.cityofochester.gov/virtualcommunityupdate and at http://www.youtube.com/c/CityofRochesterVideos.

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News Media: For more information, contact Bridgette Burch White at (585) 428-6064 or Bridgette.BurchWhite@cityofrochester.gov.