STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: August 10, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
Authorize the (1) application for and acceptance of additional grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CFDA No. 21.023) in the amount of $267,234.60; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $267,234.60 in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $267,234.60 in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Fund; (4) disbursement of funds in the amount of $267,234.60 from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Fund; and (5) execution of any documents necessary to accept and/or spend the funds - Not to exceed $267,234.60, from $41,265,428.09 to $41,532,662.69 - Financing: U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program Grant Fund
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BACKGROUND
The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its resulting economic impacts have put thousands at risk of evictions and homelessness. Since Spring of 2020, the City has seen tremendous demand for rental assistance services, a demand which has continued, if not grown, as the pandemic continues. Though a combination of local and national moratoriums and other protections have helped some clients avoid eviction, these moratoriums have largely expired or are expiring and have had limited enforcement power with the Texas Supreme Court decision not to extend emergency order 34 to enforce the Centers for Disease Control moratorium.
This item authorizes acceptance of additional funding made available by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the purpose of administering rental and utility assistance programs through 2025 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 22, 2020, City Council authorized the acceptance of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) to aid the COVID-19 response throughout the city, by Resolution No. 20-0644.
City Council was briefed on the “City Council was briefed on the “Budget Workshop: Update on COVID-19, FY20, & Upcoming Biennial Budgets” on June 17, 2020.
On June 27, 2020, City Council authorized an emergency Short-Term Rental and Utility Assistance Program due to COVID-19 to provide up to two months of rental assistance payments for low- and moderate-income persons at or below 80 percent area median income and execution of all documents and agreements necessary to implement the programs by Resolution No. 20-1033.
On January 27, 2021, City Council authorized (1) the acceptance of rental assistance program funds; (2) implementation of the Emergency Rental Assistance and Utility Assistance Program; and (3) the execution of five subrecipient agreements with Abounding Prosperity, Incorporated, Dallas Leadership Foundation, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas dba the Stewpot, International Rescue Committee, Inc., and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc., to provide up to twelve months rental and utility assistance to low-income households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 21-0240.
On April 27, 2022, City Council authorized the application for and acceptance of additional grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CFDA No. 21.023) in an amount not to exceed $565,428.09; and execution of any documents necessary with the Treasury to accept and/or spend the funds by Resolution No. 22-0648.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funds |
$40,700,000.00 |
$832,662.69 |
$0.00 |