Equity and Qualified Census Tracts
In its interim guidance for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the United States Department of Treasury emphasizes the disproportionate negative impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on low-income communities and people of color. The US Treasury encourages cities to use ARPA funding to prioritize these communities. Directing funds to Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) is one strategy Treasury identifies in its guidance to help remedy the negative impacts of COVID-19 on low income communities and people of color and to advance equity.
What are QCTs?
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) is a designation used by the United States Treasury and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to define underserved and disproportionately impacted communities. QCTS are census areas where at least half of households have lower income than most of the surrounding region. More details about QCTs can be found on the U.S. HUD website.
What if a neighborhood is only partially in a QCT?
Applicants should specifically address the targeted area and population. The project may be prioritized on that basis.