ORDINANCE authorizing City of Houston to enter into two contracts with TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (TDHCA) for an award of Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) Funds

The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing the City of Houston (City) to accept two grant awards from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for a total of $1,679,747.00 in Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) funds. This Ordinance further authorizes the Director of Housing and Community Development to represent the City on behalf of the HHSP award and have signature authority to execute the contract and amendments between the City and TDHCA for HHSP funds not to exceed five years.

Per the TDHCA, the proposed 2023 HHSP award amount for general allocation is $1,277,839.00, with an additional set-aside funding amount of $401,908.00 to address youth homelessness. Each award will be presented as a separate contract.

The general allocation must be used by the City on activities eliminating and/or preventing homelessness. Specifically, allowable activities include construction, development, or procurement of housing for homeless persons; rehabilitation of structures targeted to serving homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; provision of direct services and case management to homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; or other homelessness-related activities as approved by the TDHCA.

HHSP was established by the 81st Texas Legislature through an appropriations rider and codified during the 82nd Texas legislative session. Through HHSP, the state provides funding to the nine largest cities in Texas in support of services to homeless individuals and families. Cities currently served through HHSP include Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano and San Antonio.

This item is a procedural, administrative matter required by the State of Texas for the City to receive the funds awarded. An Ordinance allocating the accepted HHSP funds for use by local nonprofit organizations will be presented to Council for consideration within the coming months.

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

This item was reviewed by the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on November 15, 2022.

____________________________________________

Keith W. Bynam, Director

$1,277,839.00

$   401,908.00

$1,679,747.00 - State - Grant Funded (5010) 

Roxanne Lawson, Division Manager

Housing and Community Development Department

Phone: (832) 394-6307