TITLE
Recommendation to approve a second amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009 Action Plan incorporating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's (ARRA) Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), and authorize City Manager to
(i) execute all necessary documents with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other entities necessary to receive HPRP funds, (ii) increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD) by $3,566,451, and (iii) execute all necessary documents with eligible non-profit agencies necessary for HPRP implementation. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
To receive Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Long Beach (City) prepares an annual Action Plan that describes how the funding for low-income residents will be used. On July 15, 2008, the City Council approved the FY 09 Action Plan. This FY 09 Action Plan is the fourth annual implementation plan under the five-year 2005 - 2010 Consolidated Plan. The Plan is required to assess community needs and to prioritize the use of HUD grant funds received by the City to address identified needs by principally benefiting low income Long Beach residents.
Pursuant to Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which became effective on February 17, 2009, HUD has established a new program called the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). Under this program, the City is eligible to receive an additional $3,566,451 of federal funding to provide temporary support for persons who are still housed but who are at risk of becoming homeless, and persons who are already homeless. HUD expects that these resources will be targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of temporary assistance to regain stability in housing. Individuals and families expected to require long-term assistance are expected to be triaged into other programs providing long-term support. Grantees must expend 60 percent of the funds within two years, and 100 percent within three years. Because this is a new program, the City must amend the FY 09 Action Plan in order to participate in the HPRP. The substantial amendment and a summary of HPRP regulations is provided. (Attachment A)
On April 15, 2009, the Community Development Advisory Commission conducted a Public Hearing to solicit public comment on the substantial amendment to the FY 09 Action Plan. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council approval of the substantial amendment to the FY 09 Action Plan. Notices regarding the Public Hearing and the availability of the substantial amendment to the FY 09 Plan were published in the Press Telegram. In addition, the program announcement was posted on the Department of Community Development website. All of the public comments received at the public hearing and during the public comment period, April 3, 2009 to April 22, 2009, are included in the Amended Action Plan, along with copies of written responses from staff.
The program calls for recipient jurisdictions to develop prevention and/or rapid rehousing programs that meet locally-defined needs; however, HUD also expects that these resources will be targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, outside of HPRP after the program concludes. Because HPRP funds must be obligated no later than September 30, 2009, the Department of Community Development, in conjunction with the Health and Human Services Department, is recommending that the City Manager be authorized to enter into subcontracts for the HPRP funds with eligible non-profit agencies funded by the Continuum of Care.
There are four categories of eligible activities for the HPRP program: financial assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services, data collection and evaluation, and administrative costs. These eligible activities are intentionally focused on housing, by either providing financial assistance to help pay for housing, or services designed to keep people in housing or to find housing. Generally, the intent of HPRP assistance is to rapidly transition program participants to stability, either through their own means or through public assistance, as appropriate. HPRP assistance is not intended to provide long-term support for program participants, nor will it be able to address all of the financial and supportive services needs of households that affect housing stability. Rather, assistance should be focused on housing stabilization, linking program participants to community resources and mainstream benefits, and help them to develop a plan for preventing future housing instability.
This item as reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony on April 14, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on April 20, 2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 5, 2008, as the Amended Action Plan must be submitted to HUD no later than May 18, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
An appropriation increase of $3,566,451 is requested in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD). The increase is included in the recommendation. There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dennis J. Thys
Director of Community Development
Ronald R. Arias
Director, Health and Human Services
NAME |
APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |