Are local governments using ARPA recovery funds to advance equity?
Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the federal government provided cities and counties with $130 billion in flexible recovery funds. Localities were encouraged to prioritize equity by targeting resources to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and making investments that address systemic inequities. Our findings report describes how ARPA recovery funds are catalyzing innovative and equitable investments, adoption of best practices, and local policy movements in communities across the country.
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Search ARPA Equity Assessments
Search and view the equity assessments of cities and counties across the United States.
Compare ARPA Equity Assessments
Compare how 170 large cities and counties performed on our equity assessment, which included 40 performance measures across six arenas: overall equity focus; equity tools and institutional infrastructure; community engagement; equitable labor practices; breadth and depth of equity-focused investments; and transparency/accountability.
Local ARPA Investment Data Snapshot
Projects Analyzed to Date
Equity-Focused Projects
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Equity-Focused Investments
Reports
Advancing Equity with the American Rescue Plan Act's Recovery FundsExamining ARPA investment strategies and investments, we found that leading local governments — in partnership with community-based organizations and advocates — are fulfilling ARPA's promise to advance equity. This report shares that progress and presents recommendations for how federal and local policy can build upon ARPA's strengths to deliver equitable public investments now and in the future.
