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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager
DATE: August 26, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2019-#2) to allocate 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding in the amount of $126,000 to Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) also known as Hesed House.
PURPOSE:
Staff requests authorization of Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2019-#2) to allocate 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant funding. A summary of the proposed ESG funding recommendations is attached as Exhibit B.
BACKGROUND:
Staff requests authorization of a Substantial Amendment (2019-#2) to the 2018 Annual Action Plan to provide ESG funding for the projects listed below. The ESG allocation is recommended to prioritize ESG funding received as part of a one-time allocation received by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Recipients of ESG funding are determined based upon national funding, local population, and a number of other factors to determine communities that receive funding. If a certain funding level is not received as part of the calculation for a community, their portion of funding is given to the state to be redistributed. The City of Aurora will not receive ESG funding in 2019 or 2020 based on these formula allocation calculations.
The City opened its ESG application funding cycle on May 22, 2019. The application deadline was July 12, 2019. The City’s only ESG application was submitted by Hesed House. The Block Grant Working Committee (BGWC) met on August 7, 2019 (draft minutes attached, Exhibit C) and unanimously approved Staff's recommendations for the following funding (re)allocations:
|
Proposed ESG Activity |
Recommended Re/Allocation Amount |
Project Summary |
|
ESG-2018-01 - Hesed House Street Outreach |
$12,000 |
ESG funds may be used for costs of providing essential services necessary to reach out to unsheltered homeless people; connect them with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services; and provide urgent, non-facility-based care to unsheltered homeless people who are unwilling or unable to access emergency shelter, housing, or an appropriate health facility. |
|
ESG-2018-02 - Hesed House Emergency Shelter Operations |
$10,000 |
ESG funds may be used for costs of providing essential services to homeless families and individuals in emergency shelters, operating emergency shelters and issuing hotel/motel vouchers. |
|
ESG-2018-03 - Hesed House Emergency Shelter Essential Services |
$58,000 |
Eligible costs are the costs of maintenance (including minor or routine repairs), rent, security, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, food, furnishings, and supplies necessary for the operation of the emergency shelter |
|
ESG-2018-04 - Hesed House Rapid Rehousing - Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services |
$28,000 |
Rapid Re-Housing projects are designed to help those who are homeless quickly transition out of homelessness into permanent housing. The primary goal is to stabilize a project participant in permanent housing as quickly as possible and to provide wrap-around services after the family or individual obtains housing. Individuals or households receiving this funding must have an income level at or below 50% AMI |
|
ESG-2018-05 - Hesed House Rapid Rehousing - Tenant Based Rental Assistance |
$18,000 |
Rental Assistance - Assistance may be tenant or project-based. Beneficiaries may include homeless individuals or families (rapid re-housing), or individuals or families at risk of homelessness (homelessness prevention). |
|
Total |
*$126,000 |
A total of 7.5% ($10,221) of total ESG funding can be used towards administration costs. A maximum of 60% ($81,772) of total funding can be used for Street Outreach and Emergency Shelter activities. |
*Slight funding adjustments to activities make take place as staff works with applicant on finalized budget
Eligibility for the above activities must meet the ESG Program to the following activities:
1. Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street;
2. Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families;
3. Help operate these shelters;
4. Provide essential services to shelter residents;
5. Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; and
6. Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.
In addition the eligible activities listed above, in order to qualify for ESG funding, an agency must have access to the Homeless Information Management System (HMIS). This system coordinates, tracks, and collects data for clients that are homeless or persons at risk of homelessness.
The Substantial Amendment’s public comment period opened on August 18, 2019 and is scheduled to close on September 18, 2019.The proposed Amendment’s public hearing is scheduled to take place Monday, September 9, 2019 at 5:00 p.m., City Council Chambers. (Public Notice attached as Exhibit A.)
The City's 2019 Annual Action Plan (AAP) was submitted to HUD on June 6, 2019. Upon review of the AAP, HUD has directed that the City demonstrate its intent for allocating program funds.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Aurora has received a one-time allocation of ESG funding. 2018 Funding that is not expended by December 20, 2020, will be recaptured by HUD. Funding for the ESG projects will be available in the 2019 and 2020 City Budget, through budget amendments to the ESG program account 214-1330-801.45-XX series.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This action will have a positive impact on the City's community development efforts..
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed Resolution authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2019-#2) to reflect funding allocations for the ESG Program. Staff also requests authorization for the City's Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer, Community Development Manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with this Substantial Amendment (2019-#2), including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.
cc: Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, Chairperson
Alderman Patty Smith, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Theodoros “Ted” Mesiacos
Alderman Judd Lofchie
Alderman Michael B. Saville
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution Authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2019-#2) to allocate 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding in the amount of $126,000 to Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) also known as Hesed House.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and 2019 Annual Action Plan which have been adopted by the City Council and which have defined priorities for community development funding; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora is required by HUD to complete a Substantial Amendment to reallocate its unexpended prior program year resources; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora’s Block Grant Working Committee recommended
adoption of the Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment 2019-#2 to reflect ESG funding reallocations at its August 7, 2019 meeting; and
WHEREAS, funding will be available in the 2019 City Budget ESG program account (214-1330-801.45-XX series) for the Substantial Amendment 2019-#2 projects as identified in Attachment A; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby approves a Resolution Authorizing Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment (2019-#2) to allocate 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding in the amount of $126,000 to Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS), also known as Hesed House and authorizes the City's Mayor, Chief Community Services Officer, Community Development Manager, or their designees to execute any contracts as well as any other documents associated with this Substantial Amendment, including but not limited to HUD's program administration requirements.