HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7919 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7919
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C is To the Mayor and Members of the City CouncilY 23, 1995
SubJect: APPLICATIONS (2) TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR SECTION 8 SET-ASIDE
CERTIFICATES FOR:
1) HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS"AND/OR FAMILIES
2) HOMELESS PERSONS WITH HIV/AIDS
Section 8 Rental Assistance for Homeless Individuals/Families
The City of Fort Worth, as an entitlement jurisdiction under the Emergency Shelter Grant
Program (ESGP), is eligible to apply for a formula allocation set-aside of Section 8 rental
assistance. The City must apply in partnership with the Fort Worth Housing Authority (FWHA)
for the $1,019,000 in rental assistance certificates, which is equivalent to five years of assistance
to thirty-three (33) individuals/families. The City is responsible for initiating a community-wide
process to identify. and enlist homeless provider organizations (HPOs). The FWHA will
administer the rental assistance. All homeless clients that are referred to the set-aside program
will receive at least six (6) months of stabilization assistance from the HPO making the referral.
Under this program, homeless individuals/families may receive assistance through this set-aside
as a result of a referral from an eligible HPO. Eligible HPOs are those who have case
management staff and are capable of providing at least six (6) months of supportive services to
referred clients. The homeless client must be certified by the HPO as "immediately ready" for
permanent housing. City staff, in partnership with area HPOs, have developed criteria by which
such a determination is made, such as; regular income, reliable transportation, life skills, etc.
Section 8 Rental Assistance for Homeless Persons Living with HIV/AIDS
As an entitlement jurisdiction under the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS Program
(HOPWA), the City of Fort Worth is eligible to apply for a formula allocation set-aside of
Section 8 rental assistance. The City must designate an administering housing authority and
apply in partnership for a total of $320,000 (13 units) under this set-aside program. Tarrant,
Johnson, Hood, and Parker County residents with HIV/AIDS are eligible for this assistance. In
an effort to create a community-wide approach, the City will partner with the Tarrant County
Housing Assistance Office in this effort. It is felt that Tarrant County, which contains both Fort
Worth and Arlington, will be best able to administer the program for applicants county-wide, as
well as in Johnson, Parker, and Hood. Counties.
Homeless persons living with HIV/AIDS, and their families, receive preference for this Section
8 set-aside. Secondary preference for assistance goes to persons living with HIV/AIDS, and
their families, who are at risk of becoming homeless. As with the ESGP set-aside, the City must
coordinate the community-wide process. AIDS Outreach Center (AOC) will be the sole referral
source, as it is linked to all other HIV/AIDS service providers and clients in the four-county
region. AOC will also provide or arrange for supportive services, as necessary, to each referred
client. The Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office will administer the rental assistance and
s coordinate the provision of housing assistance to clients seeking service outside of "Tarrant
County" proper (within Fort Worth, Arlington, Johnson County, Hood County, and Parker
County).
ISSUED BY THE CITY MAKI GER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NO. 7919
01-OTE p,�
of r To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 23, 1995
Page 2
Subject:
APPLICATIONS (2) TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR SECTION 8 SET-ASIDE
CERTIFICATES FOR:
Additional Responsibilities for City Staff
City staff has the additional responsibility of ensuring that each client referred for housing
assistance receives stabilization and or supportive services, which include move-in and housing
search assistance, from the HPO. This activity will be coordinated by the Inter govermental
Affairs and Grant Management Division of the Fiscal Services Department with the housing
authorities using existing reporting and tracking systems for supportive services.
Application Deadlines
Both set-aside programs have an application deadline of June 1, 1995. City staff have been
working with the Fort Worth Housing Authority and the Tarrant County Housing Assistance
Office to enlist the participation of homeless provider organizations and to complete the required
application materials. The input of the City of Arlington and Arlington Housing Authority staff
has also been sought in this effort.
Availability of Funds
The funding available under these set-aside programs will be forwarded to Fort Worth pending
the successful completion of application materials. However, the funding proposed under these
programs are subject to recision in the budget packages passed by both houses of Congress, so
funding may not be available should the application be successful.
ob Terrely
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS