The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale joined forces recently to assist residents who are federal government employees during the federal government shutdown.
“Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer and I are committed to the wellbeing of our residents – and are working together to take care of those in our community who are most affected by the government shutdown,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “This is a scary time for many federal employees who already work hard to make ends meet and are now faced with bills to pay and families to feed, and yet no paycheck. Regardless of your political opinion of the shutdown, it’s time for all of us to come together and be responsive to these needs—and help our neighbors and friends through this challenging time.”
In support of federal workers in the community who have been furloughed or are working without pay, both cities implemented assistance programs, as well as listing all known resources available locally and nationally on their main websites.
Our local residents are experiencing hardships not of their making and it is lasting much longer than anyone expected,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer. “The city of Palmdale is committed to working with the city of Lancaster to make sure our affected residents have access to city services and other available resources to help them make it through the impacts of the federal government shutdown.”
Lancaster deferred erring fees for city business licensing and parking citations, as well as recreation program registration fees for federal employees during the shutdown. Additionally, the city’s utility company, Lancaster Choice Energy (LCE), deferred federal employee customers’ energy bill payments for 30 days once the shutdown had been lifted. Grace Resources provided food assistance.
Palmdale also deferred parking citations and recreation program registration fees for federal employees within its jurisdiction. Palmdale’s SAVES food program and the HPRP Rental Assistance Program provided resources to residents.
