DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
FY 2016 and FY 2017 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a Comprehensive Housing Counseling grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the period of October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017. This ordinance also accepts, upon award, FY 2016 funding up to $133,942.00, approves the FY 2016 budget and associated personnel complement of two grant-funded City positions; and authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS), or her designee, to execute documents in connection with this grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The DHS Fair Housing/Housing Counseling Program (FHHC) has provided housing counseling services to homeowners as a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certified Housing Counseling agency since 1979. FHHC supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low to moderate income renters, and those in danger of or experiencing homelessness. Services are provided regardless of income.
The primary goal of FHHC is to improve housing stability by:
• Providing public education to reduce discrimination in housing
• Educating landlords and tenants regarding their legal rights and responsibilities
• Expanding homeownership opportunities and improve access to affordable housing
• Helping homeowners prevent or resolve mortgage delinquency, default and foreclosure and maintain homeownership
• Providing relocation assistance in the event of displacement
• Connecting residents to emergency assistance, financial empowerment to prevent homelessness
HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling funding augments the City’s FHHC. During FY 2015, DHS received $16,966 in HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling funding, provided 1,686 San Antonio families with housing counseling services and prevented 228 foreclosures.
ISSUE:
Funding for the FY 2016 and FY 2017 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant is intended to support HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to help deliver a wide variety of housing counseling services to the community.
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and accepts upon award, $133,942.00 from HUD for the period October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017. If approved, the application will be submitted to HUD on April 4, 2016.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, another grantee would need to be identified by HUD to provide service in this area. The process of identifying a new grantee to implement services would delay the provision of housing counseling services for up to 2,500 families. In addition, the discontinuation of this grant may affect the City’s ability to secure HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling grant funding in the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant application and acceptance of funds upon award for FY 2016 in an amount up to $133,942.00 from HUD for the period October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017. This ordinance also approves the FY 2016 budget and personnel complement. There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the submission of a FY 2016 and FY 2017 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the period of October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017, acceptance upon award of amounts up to $133,942.00; and approving the FY 2016 budget and personnel complement.