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Item 1.E.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 01/13/2025 |
| Title: | Application Submittal for Annual AmeriCorps VISTA Project |
| Presented by: | Carly Collins |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | No |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
City staff and the Community Development Board recommend the City Council authorize submission of an annual application for AmeriCorps VISTA and authorize City staff to negotiate and finalize the project if awarded.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Community Development Division has been approached by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) regarding submitting an application for AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) resources for FY2025-2026. The Division has been managing the Billings Metro VISTA Project since 2009.
The Billings Metro VISTA Project supports placement of AmeriCorps VISTA members at nonprofit organizations to reduce the risk of homelessness and create the tools people in poverty need to build sustainable futures. The City Council's 2025 adopted strategies for the reduction of crime, supporting family justice, reducing domestic violence and substance misuse, and improving mental health are also priorities for the CNCS (focus areas include education, housing, employment, food security, access to healthcare and services benefiting veterans and military families). Members may also be trained in City-sponsored initiatives to share information and resources with other communities across Montana to further project reach, scope, and overall poverty impact. Examples include the development and implementation of a plan to affect homelessness; assistance in removing poverty-based impediments to housing access and equal opportunity; the expansion of services to assist veterans and their families; and the development and implementation of a homeless services survey.
Approval of the application would allow the Community Development Division to leverage support to assist in application preparation and administration of activities on behalf of many community agencies including Adaptive Performance Center, Eagle Mount, Billings Police Department, and Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. Staff is preparing an application for members who may be placed at varying times throughout the year based on availability, including August and February (one-year placements), etc.
The Billings Metro VISTA Project supports placement of AmeriCorps VISTA members at nonprofit organizations to reduce the risk of homelessness and create the tools people in poverty need to build sustainable futures. The City Council's 2025 adopted strategies for the reduction of crime, supporting family justice, reducing domestic violence and substance misuse, and improving mental health are also priorities for the CNCS (focus areas include education, housing, employment, food security, access to healthcare and services benefiting veterans and military families). Members may also be trained in City-sponsored initiatives to share information and resources with other communities across Montana to further project reach, scope, and overall poverty impact. Examples include the development and implementation of a plan to affect homelessness; assistance in removing poverty-based impediments to housing access and equal opportunity; the expansion of services to assist veterans and their families; and the development and implementation of a homeless services survey.
Approval of the application would allow the Community Development Division to leverage support to assist in application preparation and administration of activities on behalf of many community agencies including Adaptive Performance Center, Eagle Mount, Billings Police Department, and Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. Staff is preparing an application for members who may be placed at varying times throughout the year based on availability, including August and February (one-year placements), etc.
STAKEHOLDERS
Stakeholders include nonprofit organizations that are requesting Host Site status to implement a year-long poverty impact project and low-income citizens that would be assisted with programming.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve the submittal of an annual AmeriCorps VISTA grant application; or
- Not approve the submittal of an annual AmeriCorps VISTA grant application
FISCAL EFFECTS
For the current fiscal year, the Corporation for National and Community Service allocated a total grant award of over $361,250 to carry out the project. The Community Development Board recommended, and the City Council approved, $75,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to support cost share members. These members are a priority and further the Division’s initiatives to impact poverty and homelessness, as per the Community Development Board’s request. Host Sites also contribute approximately $14,000 per year to support the project. The Community Development Division expects a similar allocation for the next fiscal year under this application.