The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends approval of the expenditure of previously appropriated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Affordable Housing funds, and the approval and authorization of a First Contract Amendment between the City of Houston and Child Care Council of Greater Houston to replace a funding source for the administration and operation of the Homeless Services Program.
This Contract Amendment is needed because the state had a six-month delay in executing the Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) contract, which funded a portion of this Child Care Council program. HCDD received assurances from the state that the HHSP contract could be extended beyond the original August 31, 2015 expiration date. Thirty days prior to the HHSP contract expiration, HCDD requested the extension. Two days prior to the expiration, HCDD was informed by the state that contrary to previous assurances, the HHSP contract could not legally be extended.
To enable the Child Care Council Homeless Services Program to continue, HCDD requests authorization to amend the Child Care Council contract to replace HHSP funds with an equal amount of TIRZ Affordable Housing funds. This program is designed to address the needs of families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Activities include: (1) emergency shelter for individuals, families and victims of domestic violence; (2) food; (3) street outreach; (4) medical and mental health services; (5) assistance in obtaining permanent housing; (6) assistance in obtaining services or benefits; and (7) assistance with short-term rent and utility payments to prevent eviction or termination of services.
In a prior action, the City Council granted Child Care Council up to $2,022,999 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) funds to provide services to approximately 2,046 homeless or near homeless individuals. This Contract Amendment provides funding for a 12-month period from April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016.
The following table shows the revised funding sources for the 12-month Child Care Council contract period:
|
Funding Source
|
Funding Period
|
Amount
|
|
Emergency Solutions Grants
|
4/1/15 – 3/31/16
|
$1,367,715.00
|
|
CDBG
|
4/1/15 – 3/31/16
|
$555,284.00
|
|
HHSP
|
4/1/15 – 8/31/15
|
$3,778.80
|
|
TIRZ
|
9/1/15 – 3/31/16
|
$96,221.20
|
|
Total Funding
|
|
$2,022,999.00
|
HCDD conducted a Request for Proposals for FY2015 for ESG Administrative Services. Child Care Council was the selected agency.
This item was presented to the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on September 15, 2015.