Title
FY 2010 HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program Grant Application (NB)
The City of Gainesville will participate in the development of an application for HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program funding by serving as the sponsor grantee for two local projects. This item supports City Commission Strategic Goals & Initiatives for Human Capital to continue implementation of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.
Explanation
In response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program published on September 20, 2010, to supplement funding for local homeless programs; this NOFA establishes the funding criteria for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Grant Program. HUD is making available approximately $1.68 billion in Fiscal Year 2010 for the programs. The purpose the CoC Homeless Assistance Grant Program is to reduce the incidence of homelessness in CoC communities by assisting homeless individuals and families to move to self-sufficiency and permanent housing.
The City's Housing & Community Development division in collaboration with the North Central Florida Continuum of Care prepared a grant application in the amount of $896,630 for 2010 Continuum of Care program funds. Since 1995, the City of Gainesville has coordinated with other Gainesville/Alachua County organizations to submit applications for funding under HUD's CoC. Local organizations again have an opportunity to apply for homeless assistance funding through HUD's CoC. Two projects, for which the City has served as the applicant and grantee, will be included in the 2010 CoC grant application: 1) Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. "HOPE" Program: $98,849 one-year renewal. This project provides supportive services and transitional housing for up to nine mentally ill and dually diagnosed homeless individuals at leased scattered sites; and 2) VETSPACE, Inc. "VETSPACE": $105,098 for a one-year renewal to provide supportive services and transitional housing for up to 13 homeless veterans in leased scattered sites.
If funded, the City would act as fiscal agent for the receipt and disbursal of grant funds for the Meridian Behavioral Healthcare "HOPE" Project and "VETSPACE" transitional housing program via subrecipient agreements. The other projects, if awarded, would be administered directly by the project sponsors. The deadline for submitting the CoC application to HUD is November 18, 2010.
Fiscal Note
This application requests an estimated $203, 947 in funding from HUD for two projects. This amount may vary based on HUD's final approval of the grant funding for the projects. The City of Gainesville would act as the fiscal agent for both projects, and all required matching funds for the grant will be provided by Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. and VETSPACE, Inc. as required by HUD.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for grant funding in collaboration with the North Central Florida Continuum of Care under the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program and to act on behalf of the City of Gainesville in all matters pertaining to said grants; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute subrecipient agreements with Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. and VETSPACE, Inc., if selected by HUD to receive funding through the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.