Consent 1.F.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/11/2013
- TITLE
- Application Submittal for an AmeriCorps VISTA Project, Fifth Year
- PRESENTED BY:
- Brenda Beckett
- Department:
- Planning & Community Services
Presentation:
Information
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The Community Development Division has been approached by the Corporation for National and Community Service regarding sponsoring the fifth year of a VISTA project to build capacity in Billings to impact poverty and homelessness. The project would be funded on a year-to-year basis, and is expected to cover a three-five year period. The local submission deadline for the application is in April.
The project aligns with Consolidated Planning goals as an anti-poverty strategy required for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds. The project also aligns with the goals of the Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness’s ten-year plan to impact homelessness, Welcome Home Billings.
The Billings Metro VISTA Project would place AmeriCorps VISTA members to reduce the risk of homelessness and create the tools people in poverty need to build sustainable futures. Priority focus areas include education, financial literacy, housing, employment, food security, access to healthcare and services benefitting Veterans and military families. City Council approval for the application would allow the Community Development Division to assist in application preparation and administration of activities on behalf of several community agencies, including agencies such as The HUB, United Way, Family Service, Inc., Volunteers of America, The Salvation Army, and Tumbleweed Runaway Program.
Staff is preparing an application for members who may be placed at varying times throughout the year based on availability, including member opportunities in June for Summer Associates (ten-week placements), July and January (one-year placements). The number of available member positions has decreased across the nation. Therefore, the City may only be allocated a few members directly and additional members if positions are coordinated through another state project.
The Corporation for National and Community Services recommends the City require organizations seeking VISTA members contribute to the overall administration costs for full-year members; $2,500 for a first year placement, $4,000 for a second year placement and $6,500 for a third year placement. Summer Associate Host Sites would be contributing $600-$800 per member. Fees may be reduced or waived due to financial hardship or City-sponsored initiative. Funding received helps support cost share position(s), service coordination, expenses to attend mandatory trainings and overall administration for the project. Each VISTA member’s personnel value has been estimated at $30,000 for a year of service.
The project aligns with Consolidated Planning goals as an anti-poverty strategy required for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds. The project also aligns with the goals of the Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness’s ten-year plan to impact homelessness, Welcome Home Billings.
The Billings Metro VISTA Project would place AmeriCorps VISTA members to reduce the risk of homelessness and create the tools people in poverty need to build sustainable futures. Priority focus areas include education, financial literacy, housing, employment, food security, access to healthcare and services benefitting Veterans and military families. City Council approval for the application would allow the Community Development Division to assist in application preparation and administration of activities on behalf of several community agencies, including agencies such as The HUB, United Way, Family Service, Inc., Volunteers of America, The Salvation Army, and Tumbleweed Runaway Program.
Staff is preparing an application for members who may be placed at varying times throughout the year based on availability, including member opportunities in June for Summer Associates (ten-week placements), July and January (one-year placements). The number of available member positions has decreased across the nation. Therefore, the City may only be allocated a few members directly and additional members if positions are coordinated through another state project.
The Corporation for National and Community Services recommends the City require organizations seeking VISTA members contribute to the overall administration costs for full-year members; $2,500 for a first year placement, $4,000 for a second year placement and $6,500 for a third year placement. Summer Associate Host Sites would be contributing $600-$800 per member. Fees may be reduced or waived due to financial hardship or City-sponsored initiative. Funding received helps support cost share position(s), service coordination, expenses to attend mandatory trainings and overall administration for the project. Each VISTA member’s personnel value has been estimated at $30,000 for a year of service.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
The City Council may:
- Approve the submital of an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA Project; or
- Not approve the submittal of an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City is not required to commit funding to the project and is anticipating receipt of $15,000-$30,000 this year to support project coordination and administration costs from the Corporation for National and Community Services.
The Corporation for National and Community Services may have additional “cost share” positions available. One-two additional VISTA member positions may be available for placement in Billings if a “cost share” requirement is met. This amount is estimated $11,000 per position, depending on available funding, and would be covered through administrative support and CDBG funds, if allocated. While the City has not been required to financially commit additional funding to the project for the first years, allocating funding toward “cost share” may allow the City to gain one additional member placement in Billings. Additional funding for administrative costs and cost share may be allocated through FY13-14 routine budget processes, within existing CDBG budget caps. Approximately ten VISTA placements and administrative support are being requested ($330,000) through this application.
The Corporation for National and Community Services may have additional “cost share” positions available. One-two additional VISTA member positions may be available for placement in Billings if a “cost share” requirement is met. This amount is estimated $11,000 per position, depending on available funding, and would be covered through administrative support and CDBG funds, if allocated. While the City has not been required to financially commit additional funding to the project for the first years, allocating funding toward “cost share” may allow the City to gain one additional member placement in Billings. Additional funding for administrative costs and cost share may be allocated through FY13-14 routine budget processes, within existing CDBG budget caps. Approximately ten VISTA placements and administrative support are being requested ($330,000) through this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council authorize submission of an application for an AmeriCorps VISTA Project and authorize City staff to negotiate, finalize and implement the project, if awarded.