Consent 1.H.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 03/23/2015
- TITLE
- Application Submittal for an AmeriCorps VISTA Project, Sixth Year
- PRESENTED BY:
- Candi Millar
- Department:
- Planning & Community Services
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The Community Development Division has been approached by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) regarding submitting an application for VISTA resources for FY2015-2016. The Division has been managing the Billings Metro VISTA Project (B-MVP) since 2009 and is in the process of completing the sixth successful year of program implementation.
The Billings Metro VISTA Project would place AmeriCorps VISTA members to reduce of 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 benefiting Veterans and military families. Community Development Board 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 Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, NeighborWorks Montana, Family Service, Inc., NAMI Billings, YWCA Billings, and The Center for Children and Families.
Staff is requesting City Council authorization to submit an application to the CNCS for VISTA 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 Billings Metro VISTA Project would place AmeriCorps VISTA members to reduce of 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 benefiting Veterans and military families. Community Development Board 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 Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, NeighborWorks Montana, Family Service, Inc., NAMI Billings, YWCA Billings, and The Center for Children and Families.
Staff is requesting City Council authorization to submit an application to the CNCS for VISTA 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).
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may chose:
1) To submit an application for AmeriCorps VISTA Program; 2) To not submit an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA Program which will lead to the end of the Billings Metro VISTA Project and the City will not meet it's obligation to spearhead an anti-poverty strategy in order to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
1) To submit an application for AmeriCorps VISTA Program; 2) To not submit an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA Program which will lead to the end of the Billings Metro VISTA Project and the City will not meet it's obligation to spearhead an anti-poverty strategy in order to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
In FY2014-2015, the City was awarded Project Grant status by the Corporation for National and Community Service. As a result, the Corporation for National and Community Service allocated a total grant award of over $460,000 to carry out the project. It is projected that the Corporation for National and Community Service will allocate $460,000 for FY2015-2016. The Community Development Board and City Council also approved a $50,000 CDBG allocation to support cost share members, who are prioritized to further the Division’s initiatives to impact poverty and homelessness, as per the Community Development Board’s request. Host Sites also contribute approximately $20,000 per year to support the project.
From July 2014 to present, 46 VISTA members have been placed through the Billings Metro VISTA Project. An additional seven members are expected to be placed as Summer Associates in June 2015.
From July 2014 to present, 46 VISTA members have been placed through the Billings Metro VISTA Project. An additional seven members are expected to be placed as Summer Associates in June 2015.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff and the Community Development Board recommend that the City Council authorize submission of an application for AmeriCorps VISTA and authorize City staff to negotiate and finalize the project if awarded.