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Home My WebLink About(0049) M&C 20-0351City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 06/02/20 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 20-0351 LOG NAME: 082020 PARTNERSHIP FUNDS SUBJECT Ratify Application for and Authorize Acceptance of a Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Partnership Funds in the Amount Up to $40,411 for the Development and Implementation of Fair Housing Education Workshops, Projects and Activities. Authorize Execution of Related Agreement, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council: 1. Ratify the application for and authorize the acceptance of the cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Partnership Funds in the amount up to $40,411 for the development and implementation of fair housing education workshops, projects and activities; 2. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund in an amount up to $40,411 upon receipt of the award. DISCUSSION: On an intermittent basis the United States Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will seek proposals for use of Fair Housing Partnership Funds, if available, under the authority set forth at 24 C.F.R. § 115.304(d). The purpose of Partnership Funds is "for an agency participating in the FHAP to utilize the services of individuals and/or public, private, for -profit, or not -for -profit organizations that have expertise needed to effectively carry out the provisions of the agency's fair housing law." On March 4, 2020, HUD notified all Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies that it would be accepting applications for 2020 Partnership Funds, with a deadline for submittal of March 18, 2020. The Fort Worth Human Relations Commission (FWHRC) applied for this award proposing to develop and implement a series of three fair housing education workshops targeting housing providers, tenants and social service/community agencies. The workshops would be implemented between the timeframe starting May 1. 2020, and ending April 30, 2021. The proposed fair housing education content for each workshop will be developed based on the needs of each target audience, and be facilitated/taught by subject matter experts with regional and/or national credentials. Proposed content includes: Housing Providers • What does Fair Housing mean? Overview of Federal, State and Local laws. • Assisting tenants with disabilities: An overview of Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications, emotional support animals and federal guidance. • Rules for tenants with children: An overview of Familial Status discrimination. • Housing protections for victims of domestic violence. Community Members • Know your Fair Housing Rights. • How to request a reasonable accommodation/modification. • Understanding the difference between landlord/tenant laws and fair housing law. • National Origin discrimination — What does this mean and how does it impact me? • How to file a fair housing complaint. Outside Social Service/Community Agencies • What is Fair Housing and How Does It Impact the Work I Do? • Assisting clients with Fair Housing issues. • How to file a fair housing complaint. On March 27, 2020, the FWHRC received notice from HUD that our proposal for the series of fair housing education workshops had been selected for funding, in the amount of $17,500, with an effective date for the Agreement starting April 3, 2020. On April 20, 2020, HUD received additional funding, through the CARES Act, to award additional partnership funds to Fair Housing enforcement agencies for COVID19 related Fair Housing projects and/or activities. The FWHRC applied for this additional award, proposing several COVID19/Fair Housing outreach and education activities and funding for technology to support telework. On May 26, 2020, the FWHRC received notice that it was being awarded $22,911 in support of this proposal, with an effective date for the performance period starting June 1, 2020 and ending December 1, 2020. The total of the two awards is $40,411. Indirect costs are not submitted on the grant due to no payroll expenditures in the grant award. The grant award is to pay for venue costs, speaker fees, accessibility services, registrant supplies, and marketing. A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations, receipt of the grant and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds for operation will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Diversity and Inclusion Department shall be responsible for ensuring that revenues are received from the grantor and that funds are available before expenditures are incurred. This is a reimbursement grant. Submitted for City Manager's Office b� Angela Rush 6155 Originating Business Unit Head: Christina A. Brooks 8988 Additional Information Contact: