STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: January 27, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize the City Manager to (1) apply for and receive and deposit funds in an amount not to exceed $40,500,000.00 $40,700,000.00 in Coronavirus Response and Relief Funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”); (2) establish appropriations in an amount not to exceed $40,500,000.00 $40,700,000.00 in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Grant Fund; (3) execute any documents necessary with the Treasury to accept and/or spend the funds; (4) implement an Emergency Rental Assistance and Utility Assistance Program in accordance with Exhibit A and utilize up to 10% of the funds for administration; and (5) execute five subrecipient agreements with (a) Abounding Prosperity, Incorporated in an amount not to exceed $1,080,000.00; (b) Dallas Leadership Foundation in an amount not to exceed $537,000.00; (c) First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas dba the Stewpot in an amount not to exceed $324,000.00; (d) International Rescue Committee, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $268,500.00; and (e) United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00 - Total not to exceed $40,500,000.00 $40,700,000.00 - 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, the national level Centers for Disease Control moratorium is set to expire at the end of January 2021.
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 2021 and the implementation of a new rental assistance program in alignment with guidance provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the Coronavirus Relief Fund Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Additionally, this item authorizes contracts with previous Coronavirus Relief Fund subrecipients to enable continuation of service delivery at this tenuous time. Since August 2020, the Office of Community Care has been administering subrecipient agreements with Abounding Prosperity, Inc., Dallas Leadership Foundation, First Presbyterian Church dba the Stewpot, International Rescue Committee and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.
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.
On June 17, 2020, City Council was briefed on the CARES funds to facilitate assistance to eligible communities and households economically impacted by COVID-19.
On June 24, 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 December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed into law.
The Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Recovery was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on January 14, 2021. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=9056457&GUID=03B4FF34-D614-4161-94F3-90D881BEA902>
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 2021 and the implementation of a new rental assistance program in alignment with guidance provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the Coronavirus Relief Fund Emergency Rental Assistance program.
Additionally, this item authorizes contracts with previous Coronavirus Relief Fund subrecipients to enable continuation of service delivery at this tenuous time. Since August 2020, the Office of Community Care has been administering 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.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
U.S. Department of Treasury - 2021 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Grant Fund |
$26,500,000.00 $26,455,000.00 |
$14,000,000.00 $14,245,000.00 |
$0.00 |
OWNERS
Abounding Prosperity, Inc.
Kirk Myers, Chief Executive Officer
Dallas Leadership Foundation
Will McCall, President/Chief Executive Officer
First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas dba the Stewpot
Brenda Snitzer, Executive Director
International Rescue Committee
Suzy Cop, Executive Director
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Jennifer Sampson, Chief Executive Officer