Council
Communication
Office of the City Manager

 
NewCityLogo-August2008 

Date

July 27, 2009

 

Agenda Item No.        25

Roll Call No.               09-

Communication No.   09-509

Submitted by: Chris M. Johansen, Assistant City Manager

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Approval of Grant Agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding of the HUD Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP).

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Grant Agreement between HUD and the City for HPRP funding.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount: $1,763,874

 

Funding Source: HUD Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

Congress recently enacted the HPRP under Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  The City of Des Moines has been allocated $1,763,874, contingent on HUD approving a substantial amendment to the City’s 2008 HUD Consolidated Plan.  On April 20, 2009, by Roll Call No. 09-684, the City Council approved the substantial amendment, which was forwarded to HUD for review and approval.

 

The amendment to the 2008 Consolidated Plan, briefly explained how the funds will be used within the local Continuum of Care.  By regulation, the funds under HPRP are intended to target two populations of persons facing housing instability: 1) individuals and families who are currently in housing but are at risk of becoming homeless and need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless or assistance to move to another unit (prevention), and 2) individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street) and need temporary assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it (rapid re-housing).

 

A joint committee made up of members of the Neighborhood Revitalization Board and the Polk County Housing Continuum (PCHC) recommended the City contract with Polk County General Assistance to provide short term prevention assistance for rent, utilities, etc.  The funding for these services will be $740,404.  Polk County may enter into agreements with local agencies to provide assessment, support services and case management.  The committee also recommended that the City contract with Anawim Housing to administer a Rapid Re-Housing Program for families and individuals who are homeless.  The funding for this activity will be $900,000, over a three-year period. 

  

In addition, approximately $35,277 (2%) is set aside for the Homeless Management Information System, which is a program requirement for reporting purposes, and up to $88,193 (5%) for administration.

 

On June 29, 2009, the City received notice from HUD that the substantial amendment had been approved and that a Grant Agreement and Funding Approval would be forwarded shortly.

 

The Grant Agreement for $1,763,874 was sent by HUD on July 14, 2009.  By regulation, the City has 15 days to sign and return the Grant Agreement.

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S):

 

Date: April 6, 2009

 

Roll Call Number:  09-547

 

Action:              On Proposed Substantial Amendment to the Fourth (2008) Year Action Plan of the 2005-2009 HUD Consolidated Plan for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, (4-20-09).  Moved by Hensley to adopt.  Motion Carried 7-0.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S):

 

Date:  April 15, 2009

         

Roll Call Number:  N/A

 

Action:  PCHC recommended approval of the substantial amendment, as proposed.

 

Date:  April 18, 2009

 

Roll Call Number:  N/A

 

Action: Neighborhood Revitalization Board (NRB) recommended approval of the substantial

Amendment, as proposed.

 

Date: April 20, 2009

 

Roll Call Number: 09-684

 

Action: Closed the public hearing on the substantial amendment to the Consolidated   

Plan, approved the substantial amendment and authorized and directed the Mayor to  submit the substantial amendment to HUD.  Moved by Vlassis to adopt.  Approved 7-0.

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE

 

 

 

For more information on this and other agenda items, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive.  Council agendas are available to the public at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council meeting. Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to cityclerk@dmgov.org.