As $350 billion in Covid-19 relief funds make their way to cities and states, many are pondering the most impactful way to spend that money. Some, like Nashville, are putting towards affordable housing while others look at infrastructure or making up for lost tax revenue during the pandemic. To decide what to do with their funds, the city of Richmond, Virginia decided to let the people have a say.
City officials set up a public survey on Survey Monkey where residents could have a say in where the relief dollars are spent. Although the results aren’t public yet, officials hope that more community input will make the spending benefits more equitable.
“For a mid-sized city like Richmond with a lot of disinvestment and a very tumultuous past when it comes to racial equity, there are so many ways this money can do good,” Sam Schwartzkopf of the city’s Office of Public Information and Engagement told Bloomberg. “There’s so much potential for transformation generationally.”
Richmond isn’t the only city turning to the public for input. Rockland County, New York also set up a similar survey to decide where to invest its $63 million in relief funds. Some of the most popular responses included supporting the community arts, establishing more public green spaces, augmenting sidewalks, and investing in mental health resources.
The pandemic has certainly not impacted all communities equally, and for those facing eviction, unemployment, or illness, this relief money can go a long way in improving living conditions, but only if it’s spent intentionally. The advancement of modern technology has made it easier than ever to seek input from large groups, and hopefully, the inclusion of residents in relief spending will help ensure it goes towards furthering community wellbeing.
