The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPR 23014: HOME-ARP City of .. %i%i1111\� orr rthu ''— Texas INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: March 14, 2023 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ronald Burton, City Manager From: Pam Langford,Assistant City Manager- Operations RE: P. R. #23014 Introduction: The intent of this Agenda Item is to seek the City Council's approval of P. R. #23014 for the 2021 Home Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program(HOME-ARP) allocations for$1,000,453. Background of the HOME-ARP Grant: In March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan(ARP) into law,which provides over$1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy,public health, State and local governments, individuals, and businesses. To address the need for homelessness assistance and supportive services, Congress appropriated $5 billion in ARP funds to be administered through HOME to perform four activities that must primarily benefit qualifying individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations. These activities include (1)the development and support of affordable housing, (2)tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA), (3)the provision of supportive services; and(4)the acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units* (see below definition). ARP defines qualifying individuals or families as those that are(1)homeless, as defined in section 103 (a)of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended(42 U. S. C. 11302 (a)) ("McKinney-Vento"); (2) at risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401 of McKinney-Vento; (3) fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; (4)part of other populations where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent a family's homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability; or(5) veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meets the criteria in one of(1)-(4)above. Port Arthur's response to HOME-ARP Grant: Public Participation A workshop session for interested agencies was held on April 13, 2022, and a public engagement meeting at City Hall on April 28, 2022. The public was given the opportunity to discuss the following issues: What are the needs and problems in Port Arthur?How can the barriers be addressed? What are alternatives for addressing the problem, given the anticipated barriers?Why should funding be prioritized for programs in this subject area(s)?Additionally, a Priority Needs Survey was made available on the City's website for completion and submission online. The Public Comment period for the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment began on Monday, May 16th, 2022, and concluded on Monday, May 30th, 2022. A Public Notice was published in the local newspaper and included information regarding the proposed plan and the scheduled Public Hearing. The public could submit comments by mail,phone, fax, email, or during the public hearing. City Council approved and adopted the HOME ARP Allocation and Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment on June 7, 2022,per Resolution#22-245. A public notice was advertised in the Port Arthur Newspaper to solicit proposals for the HOME- ARP grant. A mandatory meeting for all interested HOME-ARP applications was held on November 30, 2022, in the Council Chambers. The following proposals were received, and the requested amount exceeded the $1,000,453 grant allocation: Organization Requested Activity Amount The Salvation Army $ 50,000 Supportive Services Catholic Charities $105,018 Supportive Services Legacy Community Development Corporation $810,000 Affordable rental units and Tenant Based Rental Assistance Family Services of Southeast Texas, Inc. $660,000 Shelter construction in Beaumont, Texas, and Su ort Services TOTAL REQUESTS $1,625,018 Recommendation: The funding recommendations were based on the following grading criteria,personal interviews with each organization on February 22, 2023, and discussion with City Staff and JQUAD Planning Group consultant: (1) Organizations' Experience with requested activity to be funded—40% (2) Organizational Capacity to carry out activity to be funded -20% (3) Existing Resources and Commitments from sources other than HOME-ARP to activities in the proposal—20% (4) Project Readiness and Leveraging of HOME-ARP funds request—20% Organization Requested Activity Amount The Salvation Army $ 50,000 Supportive Services Catholic Charities $105,018 Supportive Services Legacy Community Development Corporation $ 635,368 Affordable rental units ($260,000) and Tenant Based Rental Assistance($375,368) Family Services of Southeast Texas,Inc. $ 60,000 Support Services at the Port Arthur office in the Sub- Courthouse Administration for City Staff/Consultant $ 150,067 TOTAL ALLOCATION $1,000,453 City Council is responsible for approving final allocations. Staff recommendations are not absolute but only a guide for the City Council. Budget Impact: The 2021 HOME-ARP is the funding source. Recommendation: It is recommended that City Council approve P. R. # 23014. • A non-congregate shelter (NCS) is one or more buildings that provide private units or rooms as temporary shelters to individuals and families and do not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement. Unlike congregate settings, such as traditional homeless shelters, non—congregate shelters provide more private accommodations (individual rooms). During the COVID-19 pandemic,people living in congregate facilities were at a higher risk of contracting or having complications from the virus because physical distancing is difficult. P. R.#23014 02/28/2023 M. Essex Page 1 of 3 RESOLUTION NUMBER A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE $1,000,453 ALLOCATIONS FOR THE 2021 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PROGRAM(HOME-ARP) FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, on March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law, which provides over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, public health, State and local governments, individuals, and businesses; and, WHEREAS, to address the need for homelessness assistance and supportive services, Congress appropriated $5 billion in ARP funds to be administered through HOME to perform four activities that must primarily benefit qualifying individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations. These activities include (1) the development and support of affordable housing, (2) tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA), (3) the provision of supportive services; and (4)the acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units; and, WHEREAS, ARP defines qualifying individuals or families as those that are (1) homeless, as defined in section 103 (a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended (42 U. S. C. 11302 (a)) ("McKinney-Vento"); (2) at risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401 of McKinney-Vento; (3) fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; (4)part of other populations where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent a family's homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability; or(5) veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meets the criteria in one of(1)-(4) above; and, WHEREAS, the following recommendation is presented to City Council for review and approval: The Salvation Army - $50,000 for Supportive Services; Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas - $105,018 for Supportive Services; Legacy Community Development Corporation - $260,000 for rehabilitation of 19 Affordable Rental Units and $375,368 Tenant Based Rental P. R. #23014 02/28/2023 M. Essex Page 2 of 3 Assistance; Family Services of Southeast Texas, Inc. - $60,000 for Supportive Services; and Administration/Consultant- $150,067; and, WHEREAS, the City Council must designate an official to sign all documents concerning the proposed list of projects for the 2021 HOME-ARP program. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS: THAT the proposed recommendations for the 2021 HOME-ARP Grant are hereby approved and adopted by the City Council of Port Arthur to assure compliance with the 2021 HOME- ARP guidelines. THAT the City Manager is designated to sign all documents in connection with the proposed list of projects; and, THAT a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the City Council. READ,ADOPTED,AND APPROVED this day of A. D.,2023 at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote: AYES: MAYOR COUNCILMEMBERS NOES: Thurman "Bill" Bartie, Mayor P. R. #23014 02/28/2023 M. Essex Page 3 of 3 ATTEST: SHERRI BELLARD CITY SECRETARY APP OVED FOR FORM: UAXid, eiet AL TIZEN j).-(14d3 CITY ATTORNEY APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: RON BURTON,CITY MANAGER APPROVED FOR AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: RciL/N..si KANDY DANIE4FINANCE DIRECTOR