The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends approval to add additional funding to the Lease Agreement with 419 Hope Partners LLC, a Texas Limited liability company. The additional funding of $474,700.00 will secure lease payments for 5 months of operation of the Residence on Emancipation property.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Friday, August 25, 2017, between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, Texas as a category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Harvey's devastating effects soon began to impact Houston, causing catastrophic flooding, other severe weather, and hazardous conditions. Hurricane Harvey also presented an imminent threat to public health and safety and has resulted in the displacement of numerous individuals and families who were placed at emergency shelters established in various locations across the City, including the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Toyota Center.
It was necessary to identify locations for more permanent emergency housing for displaced individuals and families as soon as possible. Emergency dormitory space was available at 419 Emancipation Avenue (the “Property”), which enabled the City to provide up to approximately 296 of these displaced individuals and families with emergency housing for the next twelve months. To secure this space, the City entered into a Lease Agreement to lease the Property from 419 Hope Partners LLC (“Lease Agreement”).
Due to the urgency of this situation, the Mayor or the Mayor’s Designee was delegated the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of the Lease Agreement so that this agreement became effective as soon as possible and the affected individuals could relocate immediately.
The Lease Agreement is in place for a twelve month period, expires September 30, 2018, and may be extended at the City's request. At this time, City Council is requested to authorize the appropriation and allocation of $474,700 from Disaster Recovery Fund 5303. City Council will be asked to authorize additional appropriation and allocation of the remaining funding amount for this agreement in the coming months.
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Tom McCasland, Director