Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with HDS Companies LLC (HDS) in an amount up to $596,110.00 of federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) funds to provide software to administer the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program and to allow for payment of services.
Ordinance 3393-2022 authorized the Director of Development to enter into a contract with HDS in an amount of up to $239,228.00 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide software to administer the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program and to allow for payment of services. The City has a need to continue utilizing this software including renewing the system license, maintenance, technical support, professional services, software hosting, storage of data, reporting and training for the continued operation of the ERA program.
HDS’ software, Allita 360, is a fully web and end-to-end digital solution. This system supports intake and processing of applications for rent and utility assistance. The system supports separate portals for tenants, property managers/landlords, agencies, and community. The system is ADA compliant and supports multi-language applications. This software moves applications quickly through the process of approval and meets eligibility requirements. The system provides consistency among agency partners and flexibility to fund applications efficiently.
The software has been in use since the city started distributing ERA funds, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Up until now, HDS has had individual contracts with the city’s non-profit partners and each organization paid for a portion of the software. That type of contract management has proved to be challenging and threatened to hold up use of the system by all if an organization did not make payment. Moving the contract to the city, with the city funding it, provides security and continues th...
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