SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Substantial Amendment to City of Clearwater’s Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan, which includes the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, and authorize the City to modify existing agreements and enter into new agreements with organizations approved for funding. (APH)
Body
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided a one-time allocation of $1,637,567 in HOME-ARP (America Rescue Plan) funding to the City of Clearwater. HUD requires HOME-ARP funding to be used to assist Qualifying Populations defined as populations experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness and others requiring supportive services or assistance for homelessness prevention. A Substantial Amendment is required to reprogram funds in excess of 25% of the HOME-ARP allocation.
In June 2022, the first Substantial Amendment (SA-1) was approved by Council to add HOME-ARP funding to the City’s FY 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan by inclusion of the required HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. Previously, the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan allocated funding to Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Development of Affordable Rental Housing, and Administration and Planning by means of multiple specific project categories.
This second Substantial Amendment (SA-2) is to allocate HOME-ARP funding to a new Supportive Services project category and to reprogram funding across several new and existing consolidated project categories. SA-2 also eliminates multiple project specific categories and consolidates the HOME-ARP funding into four broader project categories: Supportive Services, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), Affordable Rental Housing, and Administration/Planning.
SA-2 amendments to the FY 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan and HOME-ARP Allocation Plan are summarized as follows:
1. Supportive Services - Add new project category and allocate $691,938;
2. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) - Add new project category and allocate $200,000;
3. Affordable Rental Housing - Add new project category and allocate $500,000;
4. Administration/Planning - Retain existing project category and increase from $139,137 to $245,629 (+$106,492) which is equivalent to approximately 15% of the HOME-ARP allocation;
5. Blue Sky Communities/Blue Dolphin Housing Project - Eliminate specific project name and corresponding Development of Affordable Rental Housing category funding from the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and FY 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan and reprogram funding to new project names by category (-$875,000); and
6. Pinellas Opportunity Council, Homeless Empowerment Program, Homeless Leadership Alliance, Hope Villages of America, and St. Vincent de Paul Community Kitchen and Resource Center - Eliminate specific project names and corresponding Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) category funding from the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and FY 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan and reprogram funding to new project names by category (-$623,430).
Deadline for expenditure of HOME-ARP funds is September 30, 2030.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
6847680-584200 - HOME ARP - $1,637,567
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.4 - Supports equitable housing programs that promote household stability and reduce the incidence of homelessness within Clearwater.