DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Supportive Housing Program Homeless Childcare Services Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance ratifies the submission of a Supportive Housing Program Seamless Child Care grant application, through the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and authorizes the acceptance of grant funds upon award up to $412,765.00 for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. This action also authorizes a program budget, grant match of $103,192.00, included in the FY 2015 General Fund Budget, and a personnel complement of one grant funded position.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services (DHS) supports the community's efforts to end homelessness through participation on the South Alamo Regional Alliance to End Homelessness (SARAH). SARAH is a collaboration of approximately 19 social service agencies that provide homeless and hunger services in the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. SARAH is designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the local Continuum of Care (CoC). As the designated CoC, SARAH directs the annual CoC plan, including submission of the annual CoC grant application for the community, establishes priorities for projects, and develops coordinated policy on homeless issues.
Since 2004, DHS has operated the SHP Seamless Child Care program to provide childcare services to families residing in a homeless shelter or transitional housing facility in the San Antonio area. Childcare services are provided through licensed centers to eligible children. Childcare assistance provides homeless parents with resources to pursue work, job training, counseling, or medical services. DHS coordinates services with Haven for Hope, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries, Salvation Army, Seton Home and Guadalupe Home, to ensure homeless individuals are engaged in work and education activities. The General Fund grant match has been included in the DHS General Fund Operating budget since 2004.
On September 16, 2014, DHS was notified that the consolidated CoC-funding application was due to HUD on October 30, 2014. DHS submitted a Special Category Grant Opportunity Submission Authorization Request in order to meet the application deadline.
ISSUE:
DHS requests City Council authorization to ratify the submission of the initial grant application and accept funds upon award of up to $412,765.00 from HUD for the SHP Seamless 2015 Program Year. DHS also requests approval of the associated program budget, including a grant match of $103,192.00, which was included in the FY 2015 General Fund Budget, and personnel complement of one position.
Adoption of this ordinance will allow DHS to continue providing childcare services at licensed childcare centers for families residing in a homeless shelter or transitional housing facility. The program provides a foundation for families to become economically self-sufficient upon their transition from the shelter.
Through Program Year 2015 SHP Seamless funds, DHS will provide childcare to an estimated 135 homeless households. DHS anticipates that this will be the last year the department will apply for and receive funding for the Seamless Child Care Services program. CoC funding decisions are directed by SARAH under guidance by HUD. HUD has issued guidance that CoCs should redirect funding from supportive services such as childcare toward increasing permanent supportive housing options. The CoC will redirect this funding to address the higher priority needs in the community such as permanent supportive housing to reduce veteran and chronic homelessness.
DHS is working with Workforce Solutions Alamo, the CoC and homeless providers to identify alternatives to continue childcare options for homeless families to ensure they can continue to pursue employment and education opportunities after the grant ends in 2016.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the grant application is not ratified and awarded funds are not accepted, the community would need to identify additional resources if City Council wishes to continue to provide childcare services targeted to homeless families for Program Year 2015.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance ratifies the submission of a Supportive Housing Program Seamless Childcare grant application, through the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and authorizes the acceptance of grant funds upon award up to $412,765.00 for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. This action also authorizes a program budget, grant match of $103,192.00, which was included in the FY 2015 General Fund Budget, and a personnel complement of one grant funded position.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends authorization to ratify the submission a grant application and accept funding, for the SHP Seamless program. Staff further recommends approval of an associated program budget, including an in-kind match, and personnel complement.