Our Covid-19 Response

As the initial weeks of COVID-19 have turned into months, and an increasingly uncertain future, we remain committed to meeting the immediate needs of households facing housing insecurity, and developing strategies to ensure long-term housing affordability across our region. 

Our staff continues to work on the front lines providing essential services including emergency housing, food distribution, and care management. We have also increased our advocacy efforts; distributed over $80,000 in emergency relief to residents, small businesses, and artists; and continued steadfast in the development of affordable housing. 

At this time, all our sites and services are operational. At the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, the Cafe & Coffee House is closed as we expand our shared use kitchen incubator space to help small food entrepreneurs navigate the changing food and beverage landscape. 

View our full response

Emergency Response Fund

English

COMMUNITY COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND

With generous support from our community, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund has been created to provide assistance to Dutchess County households most at risk of being severely impacted by COVID-19. We recognize that the recently issued federal stimulus funding may not reach many of our most vulnerable neighbors – even if it did, it would likely not be enough to meet both current and future urgent and unavoidable expenses. We also recognize a significant difference in how COVID-19 is impacting black and brown communities. Hundreds of years of systemic racism have made it more likely that black and brown individuals in the US experience reduced physical and financial safety in general, and especially during this pandemic.

Donations to the fund can be made at hudsonriverhousing.org/emergencyresponsefund.

Make a Donation

Please direct questions to 845-337-4407 ext 105.

How to Apply for Funding:

Funds will be used to make direct payments to landlords and utilities companies. Housing expenses will be prioritized, but we will also accept applications for unavoidable expenses such as medical bills, car payments, etc.

In providing assistance through the fund to Dutchess County households, a variety of factors will be considered, including but not limited to:

  1. Eligibility and/or receipt of stimulus checks or other governmental financial support (learn more: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center);
  2. Other factors related to a household’s probability of being more susceptible to COVID-19 and / or its financial impact;
  3. Household income. Please reference the below chart for income limits:

You can easily apply online through the following link!

Apply now ONLINE

Paper applications are also available for download here:

DOWNLOAD PDF APPLICATION

Please drop off paper applications & materials through the back door mail slot at Hudson River Housing (313 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie NY 12601) or submit applications by mail to:

Hudson River Housing

Care of Robin Dilio

313 Mill Street

Poughkeepsie NY 12601

Español

FONDO COMUNITARIO DE EMERGENCIA COVID-19

Con el generoso apoyo de nuestra comunidad, el Fondo Comunitario de Emergencia COVID-19 se creó para apoyar a los hogares con alto riesgo de contraer el virus y que están sufriendo con circunstancias financieras difíciles. El financiamiento federal de estímulo puede no llegar o apoyar completamente a muchos de nuestros vecinos más vulnerables. También reconocemos una diferencia significativa en cómo COVID-19 está afectando a las personas de color. Cientos de años de racismo sistémico han hecho más probable que las personas de color en los EE. UU. experimenten una reducción de la seguridad física y financiera en general, y especialmente durante esta pandemia.

Las donaciones al fondo se pueden hacer en hudsonriverhousing.org/emergencyresponsefund.

Donar

Dirija sus preguntas al 845-337-4407 ext 105.

Cómo Solicitar Financiación:

Los fondos se utilizarán para realizar pagos directos a propietarios y compañías de servicios públicos. Se priorizarán los gastos de vivienda, pero también aceptaremos solicitudes para gastos inevitables como facturas médicas o pagos de automóviles, etc.

Al proporcionar asistencia a través del fondo a los hogares del condado de Dutchess, se considerarán una variedad de factores, que incluyen, entre otros:

  1. Elegibilidad y / o recibo de cheques de estímulo o otro apoyo financiero gubernamental (más información: www.irs.gov/es/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center);

  2. Otros factores relacionados con la probabilidad de que un hogar sea más susceptible al COVID-19 y / o su impacto financiero;

  3. Ingresos del hogar (consulte los límites de ingresos a continuación):

¡Puede aplicar fácilmente en línea a través del siguiente enlace!

Solicite ahora en línea

Las aplicaciones en papel también están disponibles para descargar aquí:

Descargar la solicitud en PDF

Entregue las solicitudes y materiales a través de la ranura de correo de la puerta trasera en Hudson River Housing (313 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie NY 12601) o envíe las solicitudes por correo a:

Hudson River Housing

Care of Robin Dilio

313 Mill Street

Poughkeepsie NY 12601

Covid-19 Housing Survey

Has your housing been impacted by COVID-19? Share your experiences to help strengthen advocacy for more safe, stable, affordable housing. What you share will be used anonymously to help shape housing policy and craft relief packages that meet the needs of those most directly impacted by COVID-19 in our community. Help us amplify your stories, voices, and concerns. Please take a moment to share your housing experiences.

Take Survey Now

Covid-19 Resource Lists

No matter if you are an individual, a family with children, or an owner of a small business, there are resources and opportunities available to aid you in this difficult time. Please view our evolving resource lists below.

Dutchess County Resident Resources

GENERAL

Dutchess Responds (connection to other resources, Dutchess Responds emergency services)

Map of Dutchess County Emergency Resources: https://arcg.is/Oy84m

EMERGENCY FOOD & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Dutchess Outreach (meals, food pantry, emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-454-3792

Cathlic Charities (food pantry, emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-452-1400

Community Action of Poughkeepsie (Food Pantry, free tax preparation services) 77 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie 845 452-5104 Hours of operation: call to make an appointment Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (closed 12- 1 pm) Eligibility: Must bring proof of address and I.D. for self and dependents

Neighborworks Homeownership Center Financial Counseling Services / Foreclosure Prevention – See contact below under “Housing Resources”

There may be other pantries closer to you – see more Dutchess County Food Pantries here: ww.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/Docs/Food-Pantries-or-Meals-Resources.pdf

Unemployment insurance – 888-209-8124, https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm

HOUSING RESOURCES

Emergency housing access

  • Hudson River Housing’s Webster House & Mental Health America’s Living Room – Emergency Overnight Shelter and Daytime Shelter Program at 150 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, 845-473-5166
  • General questions about homelessness services – Call Nikole at 845-905-6138
  • After Hours Emergency Placement Telephone Line: 845-471-8454, Nikole at njohannesen@hudsonriverhousing.org
  • Grace Smith: Domestic Violence Shelter, 845-471-3038
  • MARC – CDCC Addiction Treatment Center at 51 Cannon St, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, 845-471-0310
  • House of Faith Ministry, Inc. Emergency Shelter, 845-765-0293

Rental & utilities assistance

  • Hudson River Housing Emergency Fund: Applications will be available soon
  • Hudson River Housing’s Housing Navigator – Leave Robin a message at 845-337-4407 ext 105 or by email at RDilio@hudsonriverhousing.org.
  • Legal Services of the Hudson Valley – Personalized phone in-takes about your unique situation to provide advice from an attorney, 845-471-0058 EXT 400 or 428.
  • Neighborworks Homeownership Center Foreclosure Intervention counseling services, call Lashonda at 845-276-3689 or email Ldenson@hudsonriverhousing.org. Also provides general financial counseling services, leave a message for Leona at 845-454-9288 EXT 603 or email Loconnell@hudsonriverhousing.org.
  • Dutchess Outreach (emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-454-3792
  • Cathlic Charities (emergency assistance with rent and utilities): 845-452-1400
  • Good Neighbor Fund (Up to $275 support with utility payments to Central Hudson): 845-471-1210

FREE & LOW COST INTERNET & TECH 

Altice Advantage COVID-19 Offer for families with K-12 children and college students at home

  • Offered through Optimum
  • 60 days of free internet, installation, and equipment. At the end of the period, households can either cancel or continue as a regular customer.
  • Call 866-200-9522 or visit https://www.alticeadvantageinternet.com/
  • Eligibility:
    • All families with school age (K-12/ college)
    • New customers

Altice Advantage Ongoing Offer & Offer for households with no school age kids

Spectrum COVID-19 Offer for families with K-12 children and college students at home

  • 2 months of free internet beginning March 16, all installation and service fees waived
  • Call 855-243-8892
  • Eligibility:
    • All families with school age children with remote learning needs
    • Households that have not previously had Spectrum

Spectrum Internet Assist Ongoing Offer

  • Internet at $14.99 per month if you choose to continue with Spectrum after 2 month period or do not have school age children. No contract needed.
  • Eligibility: 1 or more members of the household must be a part of
    • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
    • Community Eligibility Provision (CEL) of NSLP
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (ages 65 and up)
    • Not included: SSD, SSDI, & Social Security Survivor and Retirement Benefits

The Lifeline Assistance Program through Assurance Wireless / “The Obama Phone”

  • Free cell phone, monthly service, and 250 minutes
  • Other providers in New York that offer the Obama Phone: Access Wireless, Safelink Wireless (subsidiary of Tracfone)
  • Apply online: https://www.assurancewireless.com/
  • Eligibility based on household income OR One member of the household is participating in one of these programs:
    • Medicaid/Medi-Cal
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)/CalFresh
    • Supplemental Security Income
    • Federal Public Housing Assistance
    • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
    • Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
    • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
    • Tribal Head Start
    • Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits

PC’s for People

FREE MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES

24/7 Crisis Services Call or text 845-485-9700 or call 877-485-9700. Walk-ins available at the Stabilization Center at 230 North Road, Poughkeepsie NY. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can get support here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline 8AM – 10PM 7 days a week, 1-844-863-9314

Down Dog – Customizable yoga app, free until May 1st and free for students and teachers (K-12 and college) and healthcare professionals until July 1 (downdogapp.com/schools and downdogapp.com/healthcare). They also have apps “Barre” and “HIIT” for different forms of exercising.

Balance – Customizable meditation app

Chakra Meditation Balancing – App containing meditation soundtracks and information about the body and spirituality

Sanity & Self – Stress relief and meditation app, specifically for women

Water Reminder – App for helping to track your hydration levels

MyFitnessPal – App for tracking/planning nutritional intake and workouts

Small Business Resources

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE DIRECTORY

We’ve created a Small Business Resource Directory to help navigate all of the available opportunities for small businesses seeking resources during this time. Please check back occasionally, as this document is being frequently updated:

View Our Small Business Resource Directory

POUGHKEEPSIE OPEN KITCHEN (POK) FOR FOOD BUSINESSES

Hudson River Housing’s Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen is available as a resource for food and beverage businesses who may be struggling to maintain their own brick and mortar location at this time. The Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen is a certified, shared-use commercial kitchen that can be used for:

  • Pop-up restaurants (take-out only)
  • Meal delivery service
  • Product development for sale at farmers markets or groceries
  • Food processing and meal packaging

Kitchen rates are affordable at $12 – $25/hour, and hours are flexible and available 24/7. Discounts are available for businesses or organizations preparing meals for first responders or community feeding programs. 

More Information 

 

PKGO FORWARD RESTAURANT + RETAIL OUTDOOR EXPANSION PROGRAM

The Restaurant & Retail Outdoor Expansion Guidebook was created by the City of Poughkeepsie Planning Department to assist restaurant and retail establishments in navigating all necessary regulations and requirements as they move forward to re-open existing outdoor seating or expand to new outdoor seating areas, as permitted within Phase 2 of the NY Forward: Reopening New York guidelines.

For more information and to apply, please visit the PKGO Forward website, https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/pkgoforward/restaurant-retail/

LEARN MORE & APPLY

NY FORWARD LOAN PROGRAM

New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. NYFLF has been established with the goal of providing affordable working capital loans to severely impacted businesses over the coming months. Small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords who received a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan for COVID-19 are not eligible to apply to NYFLF at this time.

For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov

FAQ ABOUT NYFLF

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

  • “Employers who have not prepared for pandemic events should prepare themselves and their workers as far in advance as possible of potentially worsening outbreak conditions. Lack of continuity planning can result in a cascade of failures as employers attempt to address challenges of COVID-19 with insufficient resources and workers who might not be adequately trained for jobs they may have to perform under pandemic conditions.”  Click here for the OSHA Guide

Veteran Owned Small Business

  • Click HERE for veteran business resources for funding

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

  • For restaurateurs and if applicable, please review and share the following resource with your team. Through the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, grants are provided to restaurant industry employees who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 financially, whether through a decrease in wages or loss of employment that results in a lack of resources to pay for essential expenses.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Use the resources below to learn about the changes made to New York State Unemployment Insurance, how it impacts your employees and how it supports small business owners:

  • The State has released a new flier that will help determine who does or does not qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. It can be found HERE. There is also a flowchart that can be found HERE.
  • Guidance for self-employed individuals on how to file an Unemployment Insurance Claim on New York State Department of Labor’s Website can be found HERE

Download the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Frequently Asked Questions Document:

SBA LOANS, GRANTS, AND DEBT RELIEF

F.A.Q. on Coronavirus Relief for Small Businesses, Freelancers and More

  • If you haven’t had a chance to look into some of the loans available, this article breaks it down for you. Click HERE for The New York Times piece

The following is information on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the “grant” most are wondering about. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.:

  • In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) can provide up to $2 million of financial assistance (actual loan amounts are based on amount of economic injury) to small businesses or private, non-profit organizations that suffer substantial economic injury as a result of the declared disaster, regardless of whether the applicant sustained physical damage. As for the “grant” most are wondering about, this is the EIDL Advance. This advance is $10,000 and part of the stimulus package recently signed into law. Please note, your small business is entitled to this money AND not required to be paid back (hence “grant” like component). Additionally, the advance is not contingent on applying for a loan through the EIDL Program. Please note, the advance is made available through tax dollars and trackable. Therefore accurate accounting measures should be in place to track the expenditures.
  • It takes up to 15 minutes to complete and requires business bank account information as monies are said to be made available between 3 days to a week from application date. EIDL Streamlined Application can be found HERE
  • For those who have not yet applied, you can apply through the EIDL Loan application and make sure to select “Apply for EIDL Advance” it is here that you apply for this “grant” / $10K advance. Again, you are NOT required to accept a loan if you don’t need/want it. If you want a loan and don’t qualify, you will still receive the advance as a direct deposit into your business bank account.
More COVID-19 Relief Options can be found HERE . This includes SBA Express Bridge Loans, Pay Check Protection Program (PPP) and SBA Debt Relief. 

Operations Update 03/24/2020

Operations Update 03/16/2020

Operations Update 03/13/2020