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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0004) M&C 21-0512City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 08/03/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0512 LOG NAME: 02ACCEPTING HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICES PROGRAM FUNDS SUBJECT (ALL) Authorize Acceptance of Grants from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for Homeless Housing and Services Program Funds in the Amount of $453,572.00 and Homeless Housing and Services Program -Youth Set Aside in the Amount of $144,156.00, Authorize Execution of Related Agreements, Authorize Execution of Subgrant Agreements with The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Worth Doing Business As Fort Worth Housing Solutions to Provide Rental Assistance and with CitySquare to Provide Youth Rental Assistance and Case Management, Authorize Rollover of Remaining Fiscal Year 2021 Funds for HHSP-Youth Set Aside in an Amount up to $115,000.00 to CitySquare, Find that the Subgrant Agreements Serve a Public Purpose, and Adopt Attached Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize acceptance of grants and execution of contracts with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the Homeless Housing and Services funds in the amount of $453,572.00 (General) and $144,156.00 (Youth); 2. Authorize the execution of subgrant agreement with Fort Worth Housing Solutions in the amount of $453,572.00 to provide rental assistance to at least 40 permanent supportive housing clients (General); 3. Authorize the execution of subgrant agreement with CitySquare in the amount of $144,156.00 to provide rental assistance and case management to at least 10 youth (Youth); 4. Authorize the rollover of remaining Fiscal Year 2021 funds for HHSP-Youth Set Aside in an amount up to $115,000.00 to be included in the subgrant agreement with CitySquare; 5. Find that the subgrant agreements serves the public purpose of ending chronic and youth homelessness and that adequate controls are in place; and 6. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating State Fund in the amount of $597,728.00, subject to the receipt of the grant for the purpose of reducing chronic and youth homelessness. DISCUSSION: The State of Texas provides grant funding for the Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to nine municipalities with a population of 285,500 or greater, including the City of Fort Worth (City). The HHSP amount allocated to the City is $453,572.00. The HHSP funds may be used to provide rental assistance, case management and other services or housing options to reduce homelessness. The HHSP grant funds are currently subcontracted to used by Fort Worth Housing Solutions to provide rental assistance to 40 persons for permanent supportive housing annually. The Texas Legislature passed an increase in funding for HHSP over the 2020-2021 biennium with additional funds to address homelessness among young adults 18 to 24 years of age. The HHSP-Youth amount allocated to the City is $144,156.00. Eligible services include case management, emergency shelter, street outreach and transitional living. The HHSP-Youth grant funds will be used to provide rental assistance and case management for 10 youth annually. By approval of this Mayor and Council Communication, the City Council finds that funding the subgrant agreements will meet the public purpose of helping to end chronic and youth homelessness and that adequate controls are in place through the contracts to ensure that the public purpose is carried out. Upon acceptance, the grant will begin on September 1, 2021. The City Manager's Office will administer the HHSP and HHSP-Youth funds and monitor the sub -grantees, Fort Worth Housing Solutions and CitySquare. The subgrant agreements will be from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022. Last year, the City received HHSP and HHSP-Youth funds, which were set to expire on August 31, 2021. However, the City received an extension that allows the City to use the funds until February 28, 2022. FWHS will continue to provide services under its current HHSP agreement until all 2020-2021 funds are expended, at which point, FWHS will begin billing against the 2021-2022 HHSP funds. Tarrant County Homeless Coalition (TCHC) previously contracted to provide services using the HHSP-Youth funds. The City recommends moving any remaining 2020-2021 HHSP- Youth funds in an amount up to $115,000.00 from TCHC to CitySquare at the end of TCHC's current agreement and will require that CitySquare to use those funds prior to the new 2021-2022 funds. An Assistant City Manager is authorized to execute the contracts. A Form 1295 is not required for these contracts because: These contracts will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: TDHCA and Fort Worth Housing Solutions. A Form 1295 is required for CitySquare. FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that, upon acceptance of the above recommendations, and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grant Operating State Fund. The City Manager's Office (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to an expenditure being incurred, the City Manager's Office has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a reimbursement grant. Submitted for City Manager's Office. Fernando Costa 6122 Originating Business Unit Head: Tara Perez 2235 Additional Information Contact: Tara Perez 2235