DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing the acceptance of funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) - Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) in the amount of $249,166.00 to address youth homelessness and awarding contracts to Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, THRIVE Youth Center, and Alamo Colleges District.
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes budgetary, grant, and associated contract related actions related to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)- Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP), including:
a) The acceptance of funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) - Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) in the amount of $249,166.00
b) Execution of contracts with Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, THRIVE Youth Center and Alamo Colleges District. The proposed budgeted allocation for each organization is as follows:
• Roy Maas Youth Alternatives- $129,166.00
• THRIVE Youth Center, Inc.- $60,000.00
• Alamo Colleges District- $60,000.00
c) Approval for the Director of the Department of Human Services to execute necessary documents including a grant contract and contract amendments accepting grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded to the grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio has been awarded $249,166.00 from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) - Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) to address youth homelessness within the community. The award opportunity is a result of the Texas Legislature approving an increase in funding of $3,000,000.00 over the 2020-2021 biennium ($1,500,000.00 a year) to address youth homelessness across the state. The City of San Antonio is one of eight Texas cities to be awarded the funds, which must be expensed by August 31, 2021. The City of San Antonio was also a recipient of the funds in FY 2020 in the amount of $268,670.00.
The State’s FY 2021 proposed funding amount for San Antonio to address youth homelessness is $249,166.00, which is in addition to an annual allocation from the HHSP that is currently designated to Haven for Hope to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The primary focal areas for the HHSP Youth Set-Aside funds include case management, street outreach, emergency shelter and transitional living for unaccompanied homeless youth and homeless young adults 24 years of age and younger.
DHS presently contracts with, and would renew current contracts with THRIVE Youth Center, Inc., Alamo Colleges District and Roy Maas Youth Alternatives. Services provided by these contracts include, but are not limited to case management, street outreach, transitional housing, hotel vouchers, rental assistance, medical and behavioral health support, and educational support.
Moreover, all proposed projects will support the City’s Homeless Strategic Plan and the Community Plan to Address Youth Homelessness which would help leverage the $6.88 Million HUD Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP) grant, managed by the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH).
ISSUE:
Presently, there are limited resources for immediate shelter and homeless services specific to youth experiencing homelessness (18-24 years old) within San Antonio. For these reasons, HHSP Youth Set-Aside funds are proposed to assist with leveraging resources for services which are specific to youth and young adults.
ALTERNATIVES:
If City Council does not approve the acceptance of the TDHCA-HHSP Youth Set-Aside funds, the funds would be returned to the State for use in other Texas metro areas.
If City Council does not approve the proposed use of the funds, staff would conduct a full solicitation process, which would delay implementation and expenditure of funds.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance approves the acceptance of the TDHCA-HHSP Youth Set-Aside Funds in the amount of $249,166.00 and up to an additional 20%, if awarded, of the total awarded grant.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends accepting funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)-Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) in the amount of $249,166.00, and approval to execute necessary documents to contract with Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, THRIVE Youth Center, and Alamo Colleges District to address youth homelessness.