The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing the following:
1) The submission of the Amended 2024 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which includes an application for a special allocation of Emergency Solutions Grants called Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing funding (ESG-RUSH), a rapid response program to address homelessness by filling in federal assistance gaps in communities hit by disasters. The application includes a total of $1,000,000.00 in ESG-RUSH funding.
2) The execution of the grant Agreement between the City of Houston and HUD for the grant by the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee.
3) The execution of related forms and documents for the grants by the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee.
The City of Houston was impacted by both the Houston Derecho, a Presidentially declared disaster on May 17, 2024 (DR-4781-TX), and Hurricane Beryl, a Presidentially declared disaster dated July 9, 2024 (DR-4798-TX). In response, on August 28, 2024, HUD announced the availability of ESG-RUSH funding in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for the City of Houston. This funding will be used to provide rapid re-housing (housing subsidies and case management) for up to 37 individuals experiencing homelessness.
HCD proposed to budget the $1,000,000.00 in ESG-RUSH funding for the following eligible activities:
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Emergency Solutions Grants Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (ESG-RUSH)
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Rapid Re-Housing
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$925,000.00
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92.5%
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Administration
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$75,000.00
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7.5%
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TOTAL
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$1,000,000.00
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100.0%
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HUD has the authority to reduce citizen participation requirements when a disaster strikes. To expedite the awarding of ESG-RUSH funds and rapidly provide homeless assistance, HUD has waived consultation and citizen participation requirements for this allocation of ESG-RUSH. However, a summary of these changes can be found on HCD’s website. To access this funding, the City must submit an amendment to the 2024 Annual Action Plan no later than September 27, 2024.
Fiscal Note:
No fiscal note is required for grant items.
The Housing and Affordability Committee Chair was briefed on this item on September 11, 2024.
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Michael Nichols, Director