REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Public Service Grant Agreement with ABODE Services for Administration of the City's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) and Related HOME Fund Budget Allocations
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing, and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
The City's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program assists households with income levels at or below 60% of the Area Median Income and that are homeless or in jeopardy of becoming homeless, with an emphasis on helping families with children. The goal of the program is to help participants obtain housing and avoid homelessness. The program is designed to act as a "bridge" to self-sufficiency. Along with deposit and rental subsidy assistance, case management services are provided to help participants connect with social services, get on waitlists for long-term affordable housing, and develop other self-sufficiency skills.
The TBRA Program is funded with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) federal grant funds, local City Affordable Housing Funds (CAHF), and City Housing Successor Funds (CHSF). HOME funds are used to pay for subsidies, and deposits, while the local funds are used to pay for case management activities and some program administration.
Over the past three years, the City has relied upon two non-profits, Abode Services and Bill Wilson Center, to administer the TBRA program. HOME funding levels were high due to year over year carryover and this necessitated having two administrators. Prior year carryover amounts have diminished and now the City requires only one administrator.
In January 2023, the City issued a 2023-2025 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). ABODE services applied to administer the City's TBRA program in response to the NOFA. On May 9, 2023, the City Council approved the 2023-2024 HUD Annual Action Plan which allocated up to $827,242 in HOME funds to ABODE...
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