Reps. Panetta and Lofgren Help Secure $17.7+ Million From FEMA to Reimburse Santa Cruz County for COVID-19-Related Expenditures
Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) helped secure federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to reimburse Santa Cruz County $17,769,277 for emergency health and safety expenditures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This FEMA reimbursement is for previous actions taken by Santa Cruz County during the pandemic when it provided shelter options for high-risk people experiencing homelessness. This funding was provided by the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which authorizes FEMA’s disaster response activities and programming.
Reps. Panetta and Lofgren also worked with more than 35 members of the California delegation previously called upon the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse local governments in full for housing 62,000 high-risk Californians during this period. Rep. Panetta also met with FEMA officials to discuss the backlog of FEMA reimbursements for the County. Reps. Panetta and Lofgren continue to work closely with local officials to secure additional reimbursement from FEMA for our response and recovery actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, CZU Lightning Complex Fires, and recent severe winter storms.
“As the federal representative for the 19th Congressional District, I will continue to ensure that FEMA is doing its job to properly reimburse our communities for all of their efforts to recover from the pandemic and recent devastating natural disasters,” said Rep. Panetta. “This reimbursement recognizes Santa Cruz County’s critical efforts during the pandemic to keep our vulnerable residents safe and reduce community spread. It also is an important step forward in our work to keep pressure on FEMA to expedite reimbursement of additional outstanding Santa Cruz County disaster expenditures necessary to ensure our community is both resilient and ready for the next challenge.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone’s life, and amidst challenging times, our local governments stepped up and provided testing, vaccinations, medical supplies, and more. Officials in Watsonville and throughout Santa Cruz County helped protect our communities in a time of great need, and these FEMA reimbursements are very important. I will continue to work with Rep. Panetta in urging FEMA to ensure Santa Cruz County receives reimbursements and funding to ensure we’re prepared for future challenges,” said Rep. Lofgren.
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