HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/01/12-Attachments-IR 21-10531 - Completion of COVID Permanent Housing Project.Casa de EsperanzaINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10531
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
January 12, 2021
Page 1 of 1
SUBJECT: COMPLETION OF COVID-VULNERABLE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING PROJECT KNOWN AS CASA DE ESPERANZA
On June 23, 2020, staff issued Informal Report No. 20-10438, outlining a proposal to develop permanent supportive
housing (PSH) for approximately 200 COVID-vulnerable individuals and couples. Subsequently, on July 1, the City
issued Request for Proposals No. 20-0190 seeking proposers to: (1) quickly acquire and convert existing motels,
hotels, extended stays, apartment complexes, or similar permanent structures to serve as approximately 200 units
of PSH split across two or more locations; and (2) provide ongoing supportive services for such households for a
period of at least twenty (20) years. On August 4, staff issued Informal Report No. 20-10446 stating the City
received five proposals for the PSH project. After evaluating these proposals with respect to published criteria, staff
recommended that Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County Inc. be
awarded notices to proceed. On August 11, the City Council approved M&C 20-0518, as amended, authorizing
agreements for up to $9.3 million to develop approximately 100 units of COVID-vulnerable permanent supportive
housing. On September 1, staff issued Informal Report No. 20-10472 explaining the site criteria used, site
recommendation and support service provider recommendations. On September 15, the City Council approved
M&C 20-0640 funding supportive services, approved a zoning change, and passed a Resolution of Support for the
project.
Fort Worth Housing Solutions has partnered with Ojala Holdings to convert the HomeTown Studios at 3804
Tanacross Drive to 119 units of COVID-vulnerable permanent supportive housing — Casa de Esperanza. A tenant
lounge, reception area, two conference rooms, and case manager office space have been created. Efficiency units
have been repaired and updated. By year end, $9,299,826.54 of $9,300,000 had been expended for acquisition,
renovation, and construction support services, and 115 of 119 units had been leased. Staff expects the project to
have been fully leased by January 8. Three case managers from Presbyterian Night Shelter and one mental health
specialist from MHMR are onsite now. JPS is hiring for the onsite medical navigation position. All tenants had to
meet three criteria: 1) have a disability, 2) have been homeless longer than one year and 3) be COVID-vulnerable
(either over 65 or having a CDC specified health condition). The average age is 55, with the oldest tenant being 77.
At least nine tenants were homeless over nine years before being housed at Casa de Esperanza. Average
income/median income is $6,037.
This project has involved cooperation among multiple City departments, including Neighborhood Services,
Development Services, Finance, Law, Property Management, and Diversity and Inclusion. External partners who
assisted clients in qualifying and applying include Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, DRC Solutions, Union Gospel
Mission, Presbyterian Night Shelter, MHMR of Tarrant County, and JPS Health Network.
For more information, please contact Directions Home Manager Tara Perez at Tara.Perez@fortworthtexas.gov.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS