At Monday afternoon’s meeting, New Hanover County Commissioners unanimously approved $1.3 million in CARES Act funding to create two new programs: child care support, and housing assistance. The meeting also ended with a motion not on the agenda.
Now that K-12 schools are opening online-only families can apply to receive a child care subsidy of $155 per child per week for 12 weeks. And families who qualify for the program must send them to a participating licensed facility in the County.
In addition to child care, the County is also offering a one-time payment up to $2,000 for residents to avoid eviction or foreclosure. County officials say ‘family assessments’ will be completed to determine need.
The Commissioners separately approved a special use permit for Seacoast Christian Academy to open a child care center, and funded debris removal for Hurricane Isaias.
As the meeting ended, Commission Chair Julia Olson-Boseman offered a surprise motion that would restrict appointments to the board of the foundation that will control the $1.25 billion dollar proceeds from the sale of the hospital:
“I would like to make a motion that any members of the New Hanover Regional Board of Trustees or any elected official will not be allowed to be on that foundation for a period of two years after leaving office.”
The motion passed 4-1 with Vice-Chair Pat Kusek voting ‘no.’
Click here for the New Hanover County’s Press Release on COVID-19 Child Care & Housing Assistance Programs
Click here for New Hanover County’s Child Care Assistance and Housing Assistance Applications.