DEPARTMENT:
Neighborhood and Housing Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Ver?nica R. Soto, FAICP, Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED:
Citywide
SUMMARY:
Briefing and possible action on the Covid-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) evaluation survey results and proposed amendments to the EHAP.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On April 23, 2020, City Council approved the creation of the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). The program provides eligible applicants rental or mortgage assistance, utility assistance, and cash assistance. As of January 21, the City has approved $69 million in assistance to residents seeking emergency rental, mortgage and utility assistance to over 27,269 households.
The total budget for the EHAP is $86.8 million. The U.S. Treasury awarded the City an additional $46.8 million for rental assistance and City Council will take action on the acceptance of the funds and the proposed amendments to the EHAP in mid-February. If approved, the EHAP budget could increase to $133.6 million and remain open through September 2021.
At the request of the Housing Commission, City staff developed and distributed a survey to all EHAP applicants, participating property managers & owners, and implementation partners. The purpose of the survey was to solicit feedback on the program and its impact. Commissioners requested a survey that:
1) Takes should be no longer than three (3) minutes to complete and;
2) Focuses on EHAP evaluation (Access, Usage, and Outcome Experiences)
The survey was drafted with input from members the Outreach Working Group and Housing Commission. Once approved by the Housing Commission, the survey was reviewed by the Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee on November 2nd. This Council Committee has oversight over the Housing Pillar of the Recovery and Resiliency Plan adopted by City Council in June 2020 and since that time oversees the EHAP.
ISSUE:
Staff will p...
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