DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Verónica R. Soto, AICP, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance ratifying an application by the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department (NHSD), approving a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the City to participate in Grounded Solutions Network’s ForEveryoneHome Initiative, and authorizing a co-investment in the Initiative from the city as required for participation in the Initiative in the amount of $75,000.00 to be funded from the FY 2019 Neighborhood and Housing Services Department General Fund Budget.
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance ratifies the City’s application to the ForEveryoneHome Initiative (the Initiative), approves a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the City to participate in Grounded Solutions Network’s ForEveryoneHome Initiative, and authorizes a one-time payment in the amount of $75,000.00 to Grounded Solutions Network (GSN.) In return, the City receives a value of $225,000.00 in technical assistance, policy consulting, and peer learning opportunities provided by GSN. Participation in the initiative is necessary for the City to advance its anti-displacement work.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The initiative is a nationwide anti-displacement and inclusive growth effort undertaken by Grounded Solutions Network (GSN) and sponsored by the Ford Foundation. GSN is a network of policy consultants specializing in anti-displacement and inclusive growth working nationwide. The Initiative’s goal is to help cities develop sound anti-displacement and inclusive growth policies before displacement pressures become too great.
GSN solicited applications from municipal governments to participate in the inaugural cohort in Spring 2019. Staff identified the opportunity one week before the application deadline. Staff submitted the application on the March 14 deadline and did not have enough time to submit the application for Council approval.
GSN selected three cities to participate in the 18-month initiative through a competitive process. The selected cities will receive peer learning opportunities, over 500 hours of policy consulting and technical assistance, assistance with public meeting facilitation, and the following deliverables:
• A needs assessment that identifies current and emerging housing challenges including causes and consequences for low income communities of color
• An anti-displacement action plan with a focus on racial equity
• A detailed implementation plan for a high-priority item from the agenda
The Neighborhood and Housing Services Department (NHSD) will commit a $75,000.00 co-investment in consulting fees that will be leveraged with $150,000 in professional services from GSN.
Cities were also required to identify a core applicant team that consists of elected or appointed officials, key staff, and local community members with knowledge and networks to speak to housing challenges faced by communities of color at risk of displacement. San Antonio’s core application team includes:
• The Mayor’s Office
• Verónica Soto, NHSD Director
• Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Housing Commission Chair
• Jessica O. Guerrero, Housing Commissioner and Board President of Vecinos de Mission Trails
• Graciela Sanchez, Executive Director of Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
• Tuesdaé Knight, CEO of San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE)
• Richard Milk, Director of Policy and Planning for San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA)
The National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) and United Way of San Antonio-Bexar County also provided letters of support for the City’s application.
Staff and the core applicant team listed above participated in two rounds of interviews on April 9 and April 17.
On May 2, NHSD staff was officially notified that GSN had selected the City to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Initiative along with Indianapolis, IN. and Winston-Salem, NC.
ISSUE:
Ordinance ratifies the City’s application to the ForEveryoneHome Initiative (the Initiative), approves a memorandum of agreement with Grounded Solutions Network for anti-displacement and inclusive growth policy strategy consulting services, and authorizes a one-time payment in the amount of $75,000.00 to Grounded Solutions Network (GSN) as a program participation contribution. In return, the City receives a value of $225,000.00 in technical assistance, policy consulting, and peer learning opportunities provided by GSN.
ALTERNATIVES:
An alternative option is to issue a Request for Proposals for similar services. This alternative would cost an estimated $300,000.00 and require up to four additional months for the procurement process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
An Ordinance ratifying an application for participation in the “ForEveryoneHome” initiative, approving a memorandum of agreement with Grounded Solutions Network for anti-displacement and inclusive growth policy strategy consulting services, and authorizing the expenditure of $75,000.00 as a co-investment in the Initiative from the city as required for participation in the Initiative to be funded from the FY 2019 Neighborhood and Housing Services Department General Fund budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of NHSD’s participation in the Initiative and allocation of requested funding in the amount of $75,000.00.