On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law to provide coronavirus disease relief and economic stimulus. Various Departments with the City of Houston (City) have begun to receive notification of potential grant awards.
The following table identifies the federal agencies and anticipated awards:
Agency
|
Estimated Amount of Funding*
|
Program/Services
|
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
|
$37,352,805
|
Affordable housing, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services and acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units
|
U.S. Department of Treasury
|
$55,474,338
|
Emergency Rental Assistance
|
Federal Aviation Administration
|
$205,510,000
|
Concession Rents, Minimum Annual Guarantees, Other Lawful Airport Purposes
|
U. S Department of Health and Human Services
|
TBD
|
Aging Services and other Health related activities
|
*Note: Anticipated awards are based on estimations only and may vary.
The Mayor or his designee is authorized and directed to represent and act on behalf of the City for the purpose of ARPA grant or entitlement programs and is authorized to apply for, accept and spend funds released by Federal agencies either directly or as a pass-through the State of Texas. The Federal agencies, may include, but are not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Mayor or his designee is authorized to act as the City’s representative in the Application process with authority to apply for, accept and expend the funds, as awarded, for the purposes of these grant programs and to apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, for subsequent renewal periods, not to exceed five years, pertaining to the above programs. The Mayor is hereby authorized, without further City Council action, to execute all related grant contracts, agreements, amendments and documents from the above-mentioned federal agencies, for budget periods not to exceed five years in connection with the above-mentioned ARPA grant assistance programs, with the approval as to form of the City Attorney.
____________________________________________
Tantri Emo, Chief Business Officer/Director of Finance
Fiscal Note:
No fiscal note is needed for grant funded items.