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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0005) M&C 21-0782 (3)City of Fort Worth, Mayor and Texas Council Communication DATE: 10/12/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0782 LOG NAME: 19NSSUBSTANTIALAMENDACTIONPLAN 19-20 SUBJECT (ALL) Authorize Substantial Amendment to City of Fort Worth's 2019-2020 Action Plan, Change in Use, and Contract Amendments for a Total of $175,000.00 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act Emergency Solutions Grant Funds for Lighthouse for the Homeless, dba True Worth Place for Emergency Shelter Operations RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council: 1. Authorize reallocation of $125,000.00 of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG- CV) funds from Day Resource Center Rapid ReHousing Program, City Secretary Contract No. 54408, to Lighthouse for the Homeless, dba True Worth Place Day Shelter for the Homeless; 2. Authorize reallocation of $50,000.00 of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG- CV2) funds from SafeHaven of Tarrant County Homelessness Prevention Program, City Secretary Contract No. 54934, to Lighthouse for the Homeless, dba True Worth Place Day Shelter for the Homeless; 3. Authorize a substantial amendment to the City of Fort Worth's 2019-2020 Action Plan contingent upon successful completion of the federal public comment period; 4. Authorize contract amendments in the amount of $125,000.00 of CARES Act ESG-CV and $50,000.00 of CARES Act ESG-CV2 funds with Lighthouse for the Homeless, dba True Worth Place, City Secretary Contract Nos. 54268 and 54958, respectively; and 5. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to extend contracts if an agency requests an extension and such extension is necessary for completion of the program, or to amend contracts if necessary to achieve program goals, provided any amendment is within the scope of the program and complies with City policies and all applicable laws and regulations governing the use of federal grant funds. DISCUSSION: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) was signed into law on March 27, 2020 to respond to the many impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The CARES Act included provisions to help local governments prevent, prepare for and respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic, including providing for additional allocations of formula grant funds under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. The City of Fort Worth was notified by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on April 9, 2020 of its initial award of $2,202,929.00 in ESG-Coronavirus (ESG-CV) funds. The City of Fort Worth was notified on June 9, 2020 of its second allocation of ESG funds, known as ESG-CV2, in the amount of $6,070,529.00. All funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus for the benefit of homeless or at -risk populations. The City of Fort Worth City Council approved Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) 20-0330 on May 19, 2020 and M&C 20-0657 on September 15, 2020 amending the City of Fort Worth's 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan for use of these funds and awarding contracts to local nonprofit organizations, including Day Resource Center, SafeHaven, and True Worth Place. All ESG-CV and ESG-CV2 funds must be fully expended by September 30, 2022. Recently, True Worth Place requested the City of Fort Worth's assistance in addressing a shortfall in operational funding for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. At the same time, SafeHaven of Tarrant County and Day Resource Center reported slow utilization of Homelessness Prevention and Rapid ReHousing funds which had previously been awarded to them, due to availability of other emergency rental assistance funds. Both agencies voluntarily agreed to relinquish a portion of their ESG-CV and ESG-CV2 funding in order to ensure that the overall homeless service system continues to operate effectively throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic, particularly with regard to access by unsheltered homeless persons to services via the True Worth Place day shelter. The contracts may be extended past September 30, 2021, to ensure that there is no disruption in services and that program goals are met. A public notice authorizing this reallocation of funds was published in the Fort Worth Star -Telegram on August 26, 2021, with the 5-day comment period being completed on August 31, 2021. SafeHaven approved termination of its $50,000.00 City Secretary Contract No. 54934-T1 on August 18, 2021. Staff recommends reallocations and contract amendments in the following amounts. Agency Name / Program Current Contract Amount Amended Contract Amount FROM: Day Resource Center, Rapid ReHousing Program, ESG-CV $375,000.00 $250,000.00 FTO: True Worth Place, Operational Costs for Day Shelter for the Homeless, ESG-CV $120,000.00 $245,000.00 FROM: �SafeHaven of Tarrant County, Homelessness Prevention, ESG-CV2 $50,000.00 $0.00 TO: True Worth Place, Operational Costs for Day Shelter for the Homeless, $220,000.00 $270,000.00 ESG-CV2 These programs are available in ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and reallocation of funds, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Neighborhood Services Department (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 Neighborhood Services Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a reimbursement grant. Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Fernando Costa 6122 Originating Business Unit Head: Victor Turner 8187 Additional Information Contact: Barbara Asbury 7331