The Community Development Board and Community Development staff recommend allocating $100,000 each in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to the following subrecipient organizations to manage supportive services projects for qualifying populations. The supportive services provided by each subrecipient organization is summarized below:

· Alternatives, Inc.
o Financial Assistance for housing including: rental application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving costs, first & last month’s rent, and payment of rental arrears
o Landlord / Tenant Liaison
o Outreach Services – housing supplies for participants in need of immediate support and intervention
o Rental Assistance
o Substance Abuse Treatment

· HomeFront Partners
o Financial Assistance for housing including: rental application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving costs, first & last month’s rent, and payment of rental arrears
o Housing Search & Planning
o Landlord / Tenant Liaison
o Outreach – hygiene kits and housing supplies for participants in need of immediate support and intervention
o Rental Assistance
o Transportation – bus passes for participants; mileage reimbursement for staff to serve participants
o Staff costs for direct provision of HOME-ARP services *Hiring staff to provide services

· District 7 Human Resources Development Council (HRDC)
o Case Management
o Financial Assistance for housing including: rental application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving costs, first & last month’s rent, and payment of rental arrears
o Housing Search & Planning
o Landlord / Tenant Liaison
o Rental Assistance
o Staff costs for direct provision of HOME-ARP services *Not hiring new staff

· Native American Development Corporation (NADC)
o Case Management
o Credit Repair
o Education
o Employment Assistance and Job Training
o Food
o Financial Assistance for housing including: rental application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving costs, first & last month’s rent, and payment of rental arrears
o Landlord / Tenant Liaison
o Life Skills Training
o Mental Health
o Outpatient Health
o Outreach
o Rental Assistance
o Substance Abuse Treatment
o Transportation
o Staff costs for direct provision of HOME-ARP services *Not hiring new staff

· RiverStone Health – Yellowstone City County Health Department
o Case Management
o Mental Health
o Outpatient Health
o Outreach
o Substance Abuse Treatment
o Transportation – public transportation for patients to receive medical care
o Staff costs for direct provision of HOME-ARP services *Not hiring new staff

· United Way – Yellowstone Continuum of Care
o Case Management
o Financial Assistance for housing including: rental application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving costs, first & last month’s rent, and payment of rental arrears
o Housing Search & Planning
o Landlord / Tenant Liaison
o Outreach
o Rental Assistance
o Staff costs for direct provision of HOME-ARP services *Hiring new staff

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 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 their regular meeting on that date.

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 as soon as possible 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 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.

· Individuals and families in qualifying populations benefiting from supportive service activities.
· Public service agencies serving individuals and families in qualifying populations by carrying out supportive service activities.
 

City Council may:

• Approve allocating $100,000 each in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to the six subrecipient organizations to manage supportive services projects for qualifying populations.; or,
• Not Approve allocating $100,000 each in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to the six subrecipient organizations to manage supportive services projects for qualifying populations. Not approving the allocations would be in conflict with the Council's approval of the HOME-ARP funidng allocation plans and focus on supportive services approved in 2023.

An adverse financial outcome to the City is not anticipated and the commitment of these funds will help people in the City experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness and help the City to meet HOME-ARP federal timeliness requirements.