In June 2023, the City of Flagstaff received $840,000.00 of Homeless Shelter and Services Funds (HSSF) from the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH). HSSF are for programs that provide shelter and services to unsheltered persons who are experiencing homelessness. Allowable activities include but are not limited to operating support; motel and hotel vouchers; supportive services; and other quick occupancy housing solutions. Awarded applicants are required to report the number of unsheltered persons served monthly. 

The City of Flagstaff issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) on September 20, 2023, for $700,000.00 for HSSF eligible programs.  Applications were due to the City by October 10th. A ranking committee reviewed and evaluated the received applications and provided preliminary funding recommendations that were presented to the Housing Commission on October 26, 2023. The Housing Commission voted unanimously to forward the allocations presented with a recommendation to City Council for approval. City Council discussed the recommended allocations on December 19, 2023 and January 9, 2024.

The City of Flagstaff Housing Section received six (6) applications (attached) in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) released on September 20, 2023 (attached). Housing staff conducted a risk assessment of all six (6) applying agencies and their proposed program. Additionally, a Ranking Committee comprised of one (1) community representative, one (1) member of the Housing Commission and three (3) City Staff members met to review the proposals and rank them, with individual scores being averaged to arrive at an overall score for each proposal. Rankings primarily serve as a risk and benefit assessment and are the guiding input for Staff recommendations of Homeless Shelter and Services Funds allocations. A consolidated ranking form is included with each attached proposal.  Staff presented the recommended allocations to the Housing Commission at the October meeting and the Housing Commission voted unanimously to forward them to Council with a recommendation for approval. 

On December 19, 2023, with $700,000.00 in HSSF funding available for allocation, staff recommended fully funding the three (3) highest ranking applications and allocating partial funding to the remaining three (3) applications based on minimum requested amounts indicated in their submitted application (where provided), available funds and the similar scores. All of the programs are still able to proceed with partial funding. 

At the January 9, 2024, Council meeting, staff recommended lowering the amount for grant administration to 10% of the overall award, resulting in an additional $56,000 available to be allocated to the proposed projects. The chart below includes the additional funding divided equally between the three proposals recommended for partial funding, increasing each by $18,666.67 / .66. 

The recommendations have not been altered outside of adding the additional funding discussed immediately above, as it is staff's responsibility to convey the recommendations made by the ranking committee and staff, as approved by the Housing Commission. City Council has final authority over how the funds are allocated.

Per Council's request, Staff has contacted each agency and asked that detailed beneficiary numbers be provided. This information will be shared with Council once it has been received from all agencies.