STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Housing & Homelessness Solutions
AGENDA DATE: February 12, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Alina Ciocan
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year contract with one option to extend for time only with Housing Forward, as a sole source, approved as to form by the City Attorney, for the coordination of the Street to Home Initiative enhancing the efforts of the Dallas Real Time Rehousing Project to provide financial assistance in the form of rental assistance and paid utilities to persons experiencing homelessness - Not to exceed $2,500,000.00 - Financing: ARPA Redevelopment Funds (subject to annual appropriations)
Body
BACKGROUND
The Continuum of Care Board (CoC) recognized Housing Forward (formerly Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, as the lead agency to operate the CoC and support year-round planning activities through a memorandum of understanding with the CoC Board, as recognized by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Dallas has engaged in providing housing navigation to support people on a pathway to permanent housing through the Real Time Rehousing (RTR) program. As part of the plan to sustain the rehousing capacity and enhance the efforts of the RTR, Housing Forward will serve as the Program Administrator for the new “Street to Home” Initiative.
Street to Home Initiative is a $30 million public and privately funded project which sets out to cut homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties in half as compared to 2021 levels. As part of this initiative the City of Dallas anticipates a total award of five million, five hundred and ninety-six thousand, eight hundred ninety-eight dollars and ninety-five cents ($5,596,898.95) for this project. The remaining three million ninety-six thousand, eight hundred ninety-eight dollars and ninety-five cents ($3,096,898.95) is anticipated for City Council consideration in spring 2025. The Street to Home Initiative aligns with the City of Dallas’ strategy to reduce encampments and homelessness through rapid re-housing (RRH). As defined by HUD, RRH is a permanent housing intervention to help connect families and individuals experiencing homelessness to permanent housing through a tailored package of assistance including rental assistance and supportive services. RRH helps those living on the streets or in emergency shelters solve the practical and immediate challenges to obtaining permanent housing and services while reducing the amount of time they experience homelessness, avoiding a near-term return to homelessness, and linking to community resources that enable them to achieve housing stability in the long term.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 28, 2024, the City Council authorized the transfer and reallocation of ARPA funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to the ARPA Redevelopment multi-year fund to provide assistance with completing projects by Resolution No. 24-0315.
The Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee was briefed on January 28, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2025 |
FY 2026 |
Future Years |
|
ARPA Redevelopment Funds |
$2,500,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |