STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Workforce, Education, & Equity
AGENDA DATE: June 14, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
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SUBJECT
title
Authorize the (1) application for and acceptance of additional grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (”Treasury”) for the American Recovery Plan Act (“ARPA”) Emergency Rental Assistance Round 2 Program (CFDA No. 21.023) in the amount of $2,391,688.48 increasing the appropriations from $51,762,890.47 to $54,154,578.95 to provide emergency rental assistance services for individuals directly and indirectly impacted by and/or during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $2,391,688.48 in the ARPA Emergency Rental Assistance Program Round 2 Fund; (3) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $2,391,688.48 in the ARPA Emergency Rental Assistance Program Round 2 Fund; (4) disbursement of funds in an amount not to exceed $2,391,688.48 from the ARPA Emergency Rental Assistance Program Round 2 Fund; and (5) execution of any documents necessary with the Treasury to accept and/or spend the funds - Not to exceed $2,391,688.48, from $51,762,890.47 to $54,154,578.95 - 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.
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed into law, making funding available through the Treasury for an emergency rental assistance program.
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 American Recovery Plan Act Emergency Rental Assistance 2 Program. The use of American Recovery Plan Act funding for emergency rental assistance is consistent with the program goals set forth in Sections 373.004 and 373.005(b)(9) of the Texas Community Development Act of 1975.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 22, 2020, the 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.
The City Council was briefed on the CARES funds to facilitate assistance to eligible communities and households economically impacted by COVID-19 on June 17, 2020.
On June 24, 2020, the 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, the City Council authorized the acceptance of rental assistance program funds and a new Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide up to twelve months rental and utility assistance to owe income households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 21-0240.
On March 11, 2021, the American Recovery Plan Act was signed into law, making additional funding available through the Treasury for an emergency rental assistance program.
On June 23, 2021, the City Council authorized the acceptance of $50,225,677.40 in American Recovery Plan Act funds and authorized the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of $20,090,270.96 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to provide emergency rental assistance services for individuals directly and indirectly impacted by and/or during the COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 21-1117.
On April 27, 2022, the City Council authorized the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of $15,067,703.22 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to provide emergency rental assistance services for individuals directly and indirectly impacted by and/or during the COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 22-0649.
On August 10, 2022, the City Council authorized the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of $15,067,703.22 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to provide emergency rental assistance services for individuals directly and indirectly impacted by and/or during the COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 22-1141.
On February 22, 2023, the City Council authorized the receipt, deposit, and disbursement of $1,437,213.07 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to provide emergency rental assistance services for individuals directly and indirectly impacted by and/or during the COVID-19 pandemic by Resolution No. 23-0296.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2023 |
FY 2024 |
Future Years |
|
U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program Grant Fund |
$2,391,688.48 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Original Grant $51,762,890.47
Additional Funds (this action) $ 2,391,688.48
$54,154,578.95