City of Peoria - File #: 21-057

• File #: 21-057
• Version: 1
• Name: ESG-CV2 recommendation
• Type: Action Item
• Status: Consent Agenda
• File created: 2/23/2021
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 3/9/2021
• Final action: 3/9/2021
• 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.
• Indexes: Goal 1 - Financially Sound City , Goal 3 - Beautiful Peoria, Have an efficient government., Reinvest in neighborhoods

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/9/2021	1	City Council	approved	Pass

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 R...