Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Update

On March 19, Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale activated the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund for Covid-19 to raise money for individuals and families impacted by the virus outbreak. This Fund will provide emergency assistance to residents who are experiencing financial hardship caused by the current Pandemic related issues. Through the generosity of the public the Fund so far has raised more than $3.2 million dollars. Donations to the Fund can be made at www.cambridgema.gov/mayorsdisasterrelieffund.

Tomorrow, April 8, the City will be releasing the eligibility and distribution guidelines and application process for Cambridge residents to apply for funds donated to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund. The City of Cambridge seeks to assist as many people as possible through these funds.

“Over the last few weeks, we called on everyone in our community to help one another, built relationships with financial partners and made sure our application process is clear and equitable.  Our goal with the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund is to help as many Cambridge residents in need during the peak of this pandemic. I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from individuals, families and businesses in Cambridge who have contributed to this Fund, and I am eager to open up the applications so people may get the financial relief they need,” said Mayor Siddiqui.

The City will be prioritizing applicants who demonstrate a loss of income and will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. Funds will go directly to applicants who are granted relief funds. The funds will primarily be allocated for rent and/or utility payments or other household needs. Funds will also be allocated for mortgage payments for homes purchased through the City’s affordable homeownership programs.

“I want to thank the City team and the Mayor who have been working diligently to set-up the guidelines, application processes, and the administrative framework that is needed to distribute these donated funds in an efficient and equitable manner,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “I am proud that in less than three weeks since the activation of the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund, we have created an entirely new fiscal operation and are prepared to begin formally accepting applications by Monday.”

To support residents in applying to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund, the City will launch an online application process that allows applicants to complete their application and upload necessary documentation. The City has also set up a phone system supported by City staff members who will be available to provide multilingual assistance for filling out applications. Over 40 City staff will be engaged in answering applicant questions and reviewing applications for approval.