The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing a First Amendment to the Subrecipient Agreement (Agreement) between the City of Houston (City) and Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston (HHH) to (i) extend the term of the Agreement, and (ii) provide up to an additional $250,000.00 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to continue to operate the Project Access homeless transportation program, benefiting a minimum of 2,000 homeless riders during the extension period.
Project Access offers transportation services to homeless persons Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., 52 weeks a year using a 40-passenger, wheelchair-accessible bus traveling a scheduled route. The service supports 21 agencies that provide essential services such as health care, meals, shelter, and social services. Funding also supports a community health worker who serves as a resource for riders, collects data, acts as a liaison with other homeless services providers, and serves as the face of the program to promote ridership and improve outreach.
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CATEGORY
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AMOUNT
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PERCENT
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Program Services
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$250,000.00
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100%
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Program Administration
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$0.00
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0%
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Total
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$250,000.00
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100%
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HCD conducted a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for CDBG services in December 2022 with a one-year renewal option, at the City’s discretion. Healthcare for the Homeless was one of the agencies selected. The Agreement provides funding from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024, and was administratively extended through January 31, 2025. This First Amendment will provide funding through November 30, 2025.
As of September 2024, Healthcare for the Homeless has achieved 94.73% of its annual client goal and expended approximately 98.89% of funding. HHH has received funding through the City for various agreements since 2003 and had one finding on the last compliance monitoring due to a late payment submission, which has been resolved.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
The Housing and Affordability Committee Chair was briefed on this item on July 12, 2024.
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Michael Nichols, Director