SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Substantial Amendment to City of Clearwater’s Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan and the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and authorize the City to modify existing agreements and request new applications for funding. (consent)
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 the City 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.
The second Substantial Amendment (SA-2) was to allocate HOME-ARP funding to a new Supportive Services project category and to reprogram funding across several new and existing consolidated projects.
The City of Clearwater is proposing a 3rd amendment to the 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan and HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to reallocate HOME Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funding. The reallocation will move funds from Supportive Services and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) to Affordable Rental Housing.
The reallocation is intended to increase housing stability by expanding the affordable rental housing stock within the city for individuals and/or families in the specified “qualifying populations” described in HOME-ARP. The total amount of available HOME-ARP funds is $1,637,567. The proposed amendment will reprogram this funding from and to the following projects:
All other planned projects, proposed activities, and funding amounts not listed above will be unaffected by the proposed amendment.
The City of Clearwater is holding two public hearings for citizens, representatives of the public, private agencies and organizations, and other interested parties to review, provide comments, and make recommendations on the proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2021/2022 Annual Action Plan and HOME-ARP Allocation Plan.
Deadline for the expenditure of HOME-ARP funds is September 30, 2030.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
2.4 - Supports equitable housing programs that promote household stability and reduce the incidence of homelessness within Clearwater.
