ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request to APPROVE the Recommendation from the HOME FOR ALL CONTINUUM OF CARE for the Funding Allocation of the EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT (ESG) COVID FUNDING to Specified Agencies, in the Amount of $795,903.00.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Beginning in 2016 the Heart of Illinois Homeless Continuum of Care Governing Board collaborated with the City of Peoria to review allocations and make funding recommendations for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) (Council item # 15-317). This change was due to changes in HUD regulations that required collaboration in making funding decisions.
This is the second round of ESG COVID funding through the CARES Act. On June 9, 2020, the Council approved the allocation of $481,789 to homeless providers within the City of Peoria. The City received $795,905 in additional ESG-COVID funds for the second allocation.
The Home For All Continuum of Care released a letter of intent to homeless service providers regarding the additional COVID funding to prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19 for individuals experiencing homelessness.
A subcommittee of the Governing Board met to discuss the allocation to agencies. The subcommittee made tough decisions as there was more funding requested by all agencies than available. The subcommittee examined how quickly agencies have spent the first round of funding and utilized a strategic lens for use of this one-time funding influx given the challenges of COVID-19.
To assist in building capacity, the City of Peoria agreed to provide rapid rehousing funding for a limited-time position at the Heart of Illinois United Way to act as a housing navigator. This innovative approach recently implemented by other states and Continuums of Care allows for one person to focus on a system-wide relationship building with landlords to build a pool of units available in the private market for the individuals in a Rapid Rehousing program. Currently, it is up to the case manager for each client to locate a suitable and available unit. With the additional challenges of locating available units due to COVID, this position will help to locate units in the short term and build a system of standing relationships for the long term.
Also, some funding under the emergency shelter program will be available for shelter renovations to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19. These enhancements include items such as improved HVAC systems, partitions between beds, and air purifiers which will assist not only with COVID but also other common illnesses in congregate housing such as cold and flu in future years.
After these discussions, a recommendation was then formulated and approved by the Board based on these considerations. Please see the attached recommendation letter from Governing Board Member Jeff Gress.
The recommended funding allocation is as follows:
|
Agency |
Emergency Shelter |
Rapid Rehousing |
Homeless Prevention |
HMIS |
TOTAL |
|
Center for Prevention of Abuse |
$15,000 |
$50,000 |
|
$2,250 |
$67,250 |
|
Dream Center Peoria |
$125,888 |
|
|
|
$125,888 |
|
Phoenix CDS |
|
$100,000 |
|
$1,000 |
$101,000 |
|
Peoria Salvation Army |
$170,887 |
|
$130,000 |
$750 |
$301,637 |
|
Heart of Illinois United Way |
|
$75,000 |
|
$225 |
$75,225 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
$671,000 |
If approved, the City will enter into grant agreements with the above agencies to execute these programs.
The additional $124,995 in this round of ESG COVID was allocated on an emergency basis for a temporary shelter for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness under the I-74 bridge and at other community locations during the recent cold snap.
Through a collaboration with the Home For All Continuum of Care, Phoenix Community Development Services, Salvation Army Peoria, Dream Center, and the City of Peoria, individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness were moved into a hotel and provided with case management services, food, transportation, and laundry. Hotel expenditures are not allowed under regular ESG regulations but were approved for the ESG COVID funds. The goal of this program was to connect as many individuals as possible with permanent housing in the community and connect the rest to other shelters in the area.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $795,905 of ESG COVID funds will be contracted to local agencies.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None at this time.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City of Peoria in partnership with the Home For All Continuum of Care will continue to work toward the goal of ending homelessness in our community
IMPACT IF DENIED: ESG COVID grant funds will not be allocated to support programming at the above agencies and a new direction for the distribution of these grant funds will need to be established.
ALTERNATIVES: None identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER:
|
Agency |
EEO Number |
Expiration |
|
Center for Prevention of Abuse |
00697-211231 |
12/31/2020 |
|
Dream Center Peoria |
03015-210630 |
06/30/2021 |
|
Peoria Salvation Army |
00815-210630 |
06/30/2021 |
|
Phoenix CDS |
00706-20331 |
3/31/2020 |
|
Heart of Illinois United Way |
Pending |
Pending |
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Beautiful Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
2. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development