DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ver?nica R. Soto, FAICP, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Minor Amendment to the FY 2020 HUD Action Plan and Budget (Short Term Emergency Housing Assistance Program)
SUMMARY:
Ordinance authorizing a minor amendment to the FY 2020 HUD Action Plan and Budget approving $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for the Short Term Emergency Housing Assistance Program to assist vulnerable populations at risk of homelessness during COVID-19.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 8, 2019, City Council approved the $23.6 million FY 2020 Action Plan and Budget (Action Plan) for the four federal grant programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which includes the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. This Action Plan set aside $100,000 in CDBG funding for the Short Term Emergency Rental Assistance (STERA) Program.
ISSUE:
In an effort to assist vulnerable populations at risk of homelessness during COVID-19, staff recommends approving $750,000 in CDBG funding for the Short Term Emergency Housing Assistance Program which comes from excess program income and anticipated program/project savings.
This program is delivered by the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. CDBG funding will be utilized to assist households whose incomes are at or below 80% Area Median Income for the general purpose of preventing homelessness. One-time assistance for up to three consecutive months will be provided. An estimated 1,300 households will be served with maximum assistance of up to $3,000 per household. The administrative costs are 15% of the allocation. Staff is currently working to ensure an equitable approach to programmatic implementation.
ALTERNATIVES:
An alternative to awarding this...
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