Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $400,000.00 of the anticipated FY 2020 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Department of Development and authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board for the administration of the City's Emergency Solutions Grant monies.
Historically, the City has received an annual grant amount greater than $550,000 (the amount fluctuates each year) and has sought authority to appropriate and expend the funds after the grant has been executed. Starting with the 2019 grant, the department has sought approval to appropriate and expend a portion of the grant before the grant agreement is executed and then execute a planned, contract modification for the remaining amount after the grant amount is known (usually mid-year). This change is a result of changing accounting procedures for HUD grants.
ESG provides funding for purpose of preventing homelessness and providing emergency shelter and can include and encourage initiatives of rapid re-housing and stabilization for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the grant can also be used to support the community’s Homeless Management Information System to guarantee that the community’s plan to end homelessness is based on the most applicable and current homeless data available. Funds will be used to meet the housing needs identified in the Consolidated Plan submitted to HUD. The Community Shelter Board, a non-profit organization, has been selected because of their history with the city and the homeless service community in the funding and coordination of services to homeless individuals and families, as well as, their established administrative procedures to effectively and efficiently implement such services.
Emergency legislation is in order to continue housing crisis response initiatives without ...
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