Title
Application for FY 2008 HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program Funding (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 grantee for two local projects.
Explanation
Since 1995, the City of Gainesville has coordinated with other Gainesville/Alachua County organizations to submit applications for funding under HUD's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program. Each annual application has competed successfully with the results being thirteen projects, along with multiple renewals, funded in the past thirteen years.
Local organizations again have an opportunity to apply for homeless assistance funding through HUD. Two projects, for which the City has served as the applicant and grantee, will be included in this year's consolidated application:
1. A request for the Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. "HOPE" Program, for a $99,097 one-year renewal. This project provides supportive services and transitional housing for up to 9 mentally ill and dually diagnosed homeless individuals at leased scattered sites. It was initially funded in 1995.
2. A request from VETSPACE, Inc. for $92,676 for a one-year renewal to provide supportive services and transitional housing for up to 13 homeless veterans in leased scattered sites. This project was initially funded in 1999.
These projects have been developed in collaboration with over 30 participating agencies and organizations, including the City of Gainesville, that are part of the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless & Hungry. The Coalition is the designated lead agency in submitting the consolidated application. If funded, the City would act as fiscal agent for the receipt and disbursal of grant funds for the Meridian Behavioral Healthcare "HOPE" Program and VETSPACE transitional housing projects via subrecipient agreements.
Although a formal announcement has not yet been made, the deadline for submitting this application to HUD is expected to be shortly after July 1, 2008.
Fiscal Note
This application requests $191,773 in funding from HUD for two projects. The City of Gainesville would act as the fiscal agent for both projects, and all required matching funds will be provided by the project sponsors (Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. and VETSPACE, Inc.).
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for grant funding in collaboration with the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry 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.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission defer action until a later meeting.