The Community Development Division has been approached by the Corporation for National and Community Services regarding sponsoring a VISTA project for a second year to build capacity in Billings to impact poverty and homelessness. Funding for the project would be provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The project would be funded on a year-to-year basis, and expected to cover a three- to four-year period. The deadline for the application is March 2, 2010.

The Billings Metro VISTA Project would place up to ten AmeriCorps VISTA members serving to reduce of risk of homelessness and create the tools people in poverty need to build sustainable futures. This aligns with goals of the Mayor’s Committee on Homelessness’s ten-year plan to impact homelessness, Welcome Home Billings, and the Governor’s Council on Homelessness. The Billings Metro VISTA Project will join four other projects throughout the state: MT Legal Services Association; Department of Public Health and Human Services - Prevention Resource Center; Richland County Health Department - Communities in Action; and University of MT - MT Campus Compact. The goal of all of these projects is to address poverty-related issues of hunger, housing and mentoring and each one expects to make an important impact in efforts to end poverty in the state of Montana.

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 Family Service, Inc., the Billings Area Resource Network, Volunteers of America, Salvation Army, United Way, Family Support Network, and Second Chance Homes.

The Council may:

• Submit an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA Project; or
• Not submit an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA Project.

The City is not required to commit funding to the project and may receive approximately $20,000-$30,000 per year to support project coordination and administration costs. Each VISTA placement’s personnel value is estimated at $30,000, and seven to ten VISTA placements are being requested ($230,000 - $320,000 grant per year). City match offered in the application includes $3,500 in in-kind office space and equipment per volunteer, if the position is filled. An additional $15,000 over three years in administrative costs may be allocated as the Community Development administrative budget allows. This is negotiable on an annual basis with the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Staff recommends that Council authorize submission of an application for an AmeriCorps VISTA Project and authorize City staff to negotiate and finalize the project if awarded.