STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Workforce, Education, & Equity
AGENDA DATE: September 13, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
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SUBJECT
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Authorize an Interlocal Agreement in the amount of $2,824,600.00 with Dallas County on behalf of the Dallas County Health and Human Services to provide scattered site housing assistance for persons with HIV/AIDS for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 - Not to exceed $2,824,600.00 - Financing: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Grant Funds
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BACKGROUND
The City of Dallas has applied for and received Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds since 1993 to support eligible activities within the Dallas Eligible Metropolitan Statistical Area (Dallas EMSA) which includes the counties of Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, and Rockwall. HOPWA Grant Funds are to assist grantees in meeting the housing needs of low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and HIV-related illness and their families.
On June 22, 2022, the City Council adopted the FY 2022-23 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for HUD Grant Funds by Resolution No. 22-1339.
On June 14, 2023, the City Council adopted the FY 2023-24 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grant Funds by Resolution No. 23-0765. The FY 2023-24 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget includes HOPWA Grant Funds, which are available beginning October 1, 2023, contingent upon HUD’s approval of the City’s FY 2023-24 Action Plan (which is based on the approved HUD Consolidated Plan Budget, submitted on or about August 15, 2023) and execution of the grant agreements with HUD.
Because HOPWA Grant Funds may be expended for eligible purposes within three years of HUD’s award, remaining FY 2022-23 funds are included in this year’s Interlocal Agreement (“ILA”) with Dallas County/Dallas County Health and Human Services (“County”).
Since approximately 1993, through ILAs with the City, the County has provided HOPWA scattered site housing assistance, comprised of Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (“TBRA”), Short-Term Rent/Mortgage/Utility (“STRMU”) Emergency Assistance, supportive services, and administrative costs, to eligible persons primarily residing in Dallas County.
The TBRA Program includes long-term rental assistance (with a utility allowance) that an eligible person may use at a housing unit of his or her choice. This assistance is portable, and moves with the client, similar to the Housing Choice Voucher program, within the Dallas EMSA. STRMU Emergency Assistance is designed to prevent homelessness, and includes short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments for up to 21 weeks in any 52-week period. HOPWA clients receiving scattered site housing assistance also receive housing support services through case managers, who ensure that clients have access to other services, such as medical care, transportation, legal services, and food pantry.
The County has the organizational capacity, including one full-time HOPWA manager, three full-time HOPWA caseworkers, and a full-time HOPWA clerk, in place to continue providing scattered site housing assistance to eligible persons without disruption. In addition, the County is the administrative agency for other local area organizations eligible for HIV/AIDS grant funding and, as such, has collaborative relationships with HIV/AIDS service providers across the Dallas EMSA. For these reasons, the County is recommended for funding to continue providing scattered site housing assistance services to eligible persons residing primarily in Dallas County. To ensure eligible persons across the Dallas EMSA have access to the full continuum of HOPWA eligible activities, the City intends to enter into additional project sponsor agreements with entities that provide additional eligible activities (e.g. facility-based housing, housing information services, housing placement, and support services) or that provide scattered site housing assistance to eligible individuals outside of Dallas County.
This agenda item authorizes an ILA with Dallas County to continue providing a HOPWA short-term rent, mortgage, and utility program and long-term tenant based rental assistance program and associated administrative costs.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 22, 2022, the City Council authorized final adoption of the FY 2022-23 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant Funds by Resolution No. 22-1339.
On June 14, 2023, the City Council authorized final adoption of the FY 2023-24 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant Funds by Resolution No. 23-0765.
The Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 11, 2023.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Grant Funds |
$0.00 |
$2,824,600.00 |
$0.00 |