TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution to request and accept State Rental Assistance Cashflow Loan Program funds to allow the City of Long Beach Emergency Rental Assistance Program to continue, without interruption, assisting eligible renters who have experienced economic impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents with the California Department of Housing and Community Development to receive State Rental Assistance Cashflow Loan funds, and execute the Standard Agreement necessary to implement and comply with related State regulations. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On December 27, 2020, the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 authorized the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and appropriated $25 billion in federal rental assistance (ERA1). California Senate Bill (SB) 91 established the State’s program for administering its share of ERAP funds. On February 9, 2021, the City Council directed City staff to request the City of Long Beach’s (City) reserved Block Grant amount of $16.4 million from the State, conform the City’s program to the State ERAP rules, and self-administer a local tenant assistance program (Option B) combining the State Block Grant with the previously received $13.8 million direct Federal Allocation, totaling $30.2 million in new funding to the City. On March 16, 2021, the City Council adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all Block Grant award documents necessary to accept the State ERAP funding.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act established the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA2), and authorized the direct allocation of funds to states, the units of local government, territories, and high-need grantees. In this round, the City was considered both a regular grantee and a high-need grantee, and therefore received a total direct federal allocation of $22.1 million. In addition, the City received its reserved...
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