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Item 1.F.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 08/26/2024 |
| Title: | HOME-ARP Supportive Service Project - Subrecipient Allocations |
| Presented by: | Carly Collins |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | Yes |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
The Community Development Board and staff recommend allocating $100,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to each of the following subrecipient organizations to manage supportive service projects for qualifying populations:
· Alternatives, Inc.
· HomeFront Partners
· District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC)
· Native American Development Corporation (NADC)
· RiverStone Health – Yellowstone City County Health Department
· United Way – Yellowstone Continuum of Care
· Alternatives, Inc.
· HomeFront Partners
· District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC)
· Native American Development Corporation (NADC)
· RiverStone Health – Yellowstone City County Health Department
· United Way – Yellowstone Continuum of Care
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
Federal Funding Allocation: The City of Billings was awarded $1,211,321 in HOME-ARP funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in April 2021. Funding must reduce homelessness and increase housing stability for individuals and families from the following qualifying populations: homeless; at-risk of homelessness; fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; other populations where providing assistance would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability; and veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the preceding criteria. The City was required by HUD to complete a community needs assessment and allocation plan prior to developing an open and competitive application process. HOME-ARP funding must be fully expended by September 2030.
HOME-ARP Allocation Plan: Beginning in October 2022, the City surveyed and consulted with local service providers to gain information to help assess housing and service needs and gaps. Twenty-six local agencies provided responses to the City’s survey. The City analyzed responses and organizational data to create its HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. The drafted allocation plan was available for review and public comment through March 20, 2023. The plan included a needs assessment and gaps analysis of housing and services benefiting qualifying populations as well as input from social service agencies on how to prioritize funding activities.
In addition to analyzing local agency data, the City reviewed shelter and housing inventory to help guide funding recommendations. The City of Billings held a public hearing on Monday, March 13, 2023, to obtain public comment on the allocation plan. The Billings City Council voted to approve the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan via a substantial amendment to the FY2021-2022 Annual Action Plan at its regular meeting on March 13. The City's HOME-ARP Allocation Plan was approved by HUD in May 2023. Following the approval, City staff developed policies and procedures as well as an application guidebook and funding application which was released in October 2023.
HOME-ARP Application: In November 2023, applications for HOME-ARP funding were submitted by Alternatives, Inc; HomeFront Partners; District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC); Native American Development Corporation (NADC); RiverStone Health; and United Way. Funding would be used to manage supportive service programming for Billings residents experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
Community Development Board Recommendations: City staff must set up activities with general descriptions of projects and activities that the City plans on carrying out with HOME-ARP resources. Therefore, the Community Development Board recommends the following:
HOME-ARP Allocation Plan: Beginning in October 2022, the City surveyed and consulted with local service providers to gain information to help assess housing and service needs and gaps. Twenty-six local agencies provided responses to the City’s survey. The City analyzed responses and organizational data to create its HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. The drafted allocation plan was available for review and public comment through March 20, 2023. The plan included a needs assessment and gaps analysis of housing and services benefiting qualifying populations as well as input from social service agencies on how to prioritize funding activities.
In addition to analyzing local agency data, the City reviewed shelter and housing inventory to help guide funding recommendations. The City of Billings held a public hearing on Monday, March 13, 2023, to obtain public comment on the allocation plan. The Billings City Council voted to approve the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan via a substantial amendment to the FY2021-2022 Annual Action Plan at its regular meeting on March 13. The City's HOME-ARP Allocation Plan was approved by HUD in May 2023. Following the approval, City staff developed policies and procedures as well as an application guidebook and funding application which was released in October 2023.
HOME-ARP Application: In November 2023, applications for HOME-ARP funding were submitted by Alternatives, Inc; HomeFront Partners; District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC); Native American Development Corporation (NADC); RiverStone Health; and United Way. Funding would be used to manage supportive service programming for Billings residents experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
Community Development Board Recommendations: City staff must set up activities with general descriptions of projects and activities that the City plans on carrying out with HOME-ARP resources. Therefore, the Community Development Board recommends the following:
- Awardees: Grant $100,000 to each qualified agency, as submitted. These include: Alternatives, Inc; HomeFront Partners; District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC); Native American Development Corporation (NADC); RiverStone Health; and United Way.
- Awardee Agreements: Documents will include agreement modification language to continue funding activities if community need exceeds beyond the initial HOME-ARP allocation of $100,000. This would require full regulatory compliance with the first allocation, application submission for additional funds, Community Development Board review and recommendation, and agreement renewal approval from the City Administrator.
- HOME-ARP Administration: Fifteen percent of the total HOME-ARP award ($181,698) will be allocated for staff costs and supplies necessary to carry out grant monitoring and management activities. This is a one-time allocation to fund many years of project monitoring and reporting.
STAKEHOLDERS
· Individuals and families in qualifying populations benefitting from supportive service activities.
· Public service agencies serving individuals and families in qualifying populations by carrying out supportive service activities.
· Public service agencies serving individuals and families in qualifying populations by carrying out supportive service activities.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve allocating $100,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to each of the seven subrecipient organizations to manage supportive service projects for qualifying populations; or,
- Not Approve allocating $100,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to each of the seven subrecipient organizations to manage supportive service projects for qualifying populations. Not approving the funding allocations would not be in alignment with the Council's action in March 2023 to approve the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan via a substantial amendment to the FY2021-2022 Annual Action Plan 13 and require CD staff to revisit the policies and procedures set up per the CD Board and its recommendations.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Since the HOME-ARP funds are federal there is no expected impact to the City budget and a portion of the funds will provide administrative funding for the CD Division to administer the program. The commitment of these funds also will help the City to meet HOME-ARP federal timeliness requirements.
SUMMARY
An overall review of the applications reveal the projects are in alignment with the City’s Consolidated Plan and HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. There is a demonstrated need for increasing housing stability and reducing homelessness, as evidenced through data from the City’s recent Consolidated Plan and HOME-ARP Allocation Plan which include the Housing Needs Assessment, Market Analysis and the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The applicants have extensive experience in managing supportive service projects, and they are knowledgeable about federal program requirements.