FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Contact:

Peter Manzo (323) 309-8522
Anna Hasselblad (916) 317-4997                                                     

Golden State Stimulus, Eviction Protections, and Rent Relief Urgency Budget Proposal Announced by Governor Newsom with Legislative and United Way Leaders

The stimulus will reach low-income Californians, including undocumented households that file taxes with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number; local leaders note urgency and readiness to connect families to relief

(Los Angeles, CA) — Statement from United Ways of California and Local United Way Leaders:

“Today marks a critical moment in California’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic with Governor Newsom’s Budget Proposal to provide a much needed $600 state stimulus check to low-income residents via the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) structure. This combined with extending eviction protections and providing rent relief funds comes at the right time as so many households struggle to stay afloat financially,” said Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California, (UWCA). “Local United Ways throughout California are on the frontlines of connecting communities to services and assistance, raising and disbursing millions of dollars in 2020 alone to help tens of thousands of families grappling with the devastating impacts of COVID-19. 2021 will require a similar commitment to getting aid where it is needed most, and we are ready to partner closely with the Legislature and the Newsom Administration to see this budget proposal through with urgency.”

“The Inland Region is home to more than 5 million people and is diverse, multicultural, and beautiful; it has also been hit hard by the pandemic and housing crisis,” said Lisa Wright, President of Inland SoCal United Way. “We are proud to have responded in a significant way to alleviate suffering in our region with rental assistance, cash aid, small business grants, and crisis assistance through 211 and HelpLine. We offer sincere thanks and gratitude to Governor Newsom and our legislative leadership for stepping up to assist Californians in need through the Golden State Stimulus Package. We are proud to continue to work side by side with local, regional, county, and state leadership to serve our Inland Region to Unite people, ideas, and resources to improve lives every day.”

“These are unprecedented times and financial relief is needed for so many low-income families in our Orange County community. Our Pandemic Relief Fund has already helped 6,078 households with emergency relief. We’re proud to support the Golden State Stimulus efforts to ensure families can continue to pay their rent and meet their basic needs,” said Susan B. Parks, president and CEO, Orange County United Way. 

“Our United Way applauds the proposed Garden State Stimulus. We know well how such rapid relief can make a difference having provided over 1,100 families with direct payments of $500 through our relief funds. So much more is needed and this stimulus will certainly ease the burden for so many,” said Stephanie McLemore Bray, President and CEO of United Way of the California Capitol Region. 

“United Way of Kern County is grateful for the Governor's proposed Golden State Stimulus. We thank Governor Newson and the legislators for including our low-income individuals and families who have been excluded from the federal stimulus, especially our central valley undocumented households who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and even parents with U.S. citizen children. United Way of Kern County has been doing a lot of work helping struggling families via VITA services, EITC/ Cal EITC outreach, assisting with relief funds and distributing meals during COVID-19, said Mari Perez-Dowling, President & CEO of United Way of Kern County. “It's very exciting to know that the work United Way has done in our communities has a positive impact at this level. Our working low-income families need and deserve to be included in these types of stimulus support regardless of whether they file with a Social Security Number or ITIN." 

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