Click play to watch the interview.
Closius talks about why, in the age of COVID-19, it is still hugely important to support the nonprofits that support your neighbors, whether it be through The Valley Community COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund, The Valley United Way’s Annual Campaign, or directly to the nonprofit of your choice.
The fact of the matter is COVID-19 is having a serious impact on the Valley’s economy — but, thanks to government programs such as increased unemployment payments and the paycheck protection loans, we’ve yet to absorb the full punch to the gut.
But that hit could be on the way as those programs shrink or go away.
Connecticut is on the precipice of a housing crisis, if it hasn’t already arrived.
Eleven hundred people call the state every day seeking help from Connecticut’s coronavirus housing assistance program in paying their rent or mortgage bills.
Only about 170 of the callers actually qualify for help under the program’s narrow parameters – and the odds will soon get worse unless something changes.
State eviction rates are expected to jump from 4% in a typical year to 7% this year, the governor’s office recently concluded after surveying landlords.
Number of local businesses or orgs that received PPP loans:
16 in Ansonia
18 in Derby
25 in Seymour
143 in Shelton
Local unemployment, as June:
Note that these numbers are under-reported because of complications collecting the data, according to the state’s Department of Labor
Ansonia
13.6
Derby
12 percent
Oxford
8 percent
Seymour
10.4 percent
Shelton
10 percent
The state was 10 percent.
