Title
(CONTINUED FROM FEB. 3, 2021) - 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan's 2019 Annual Action Plan CARES Act Amendment (Ordinance S-47290)
Description
Request City Council approval of a Substantial Amendment to the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan's 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan to include a second Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV2) allocation authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, enacted March 27, 2020, for the specific purpose of preventing, preparing for, and responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan's 2019 Annual Action Plan defines how the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds will be used to address the priorities and goals outlined in the five-year Consolidated Plan.
A previous substantial amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan was completed for the first round of the CARES Act ESG funding in May of 2020 (ESG-CV1). This second substantial amendment is to allocate $19,212,248 provided to the City in the second round of ESG funding (ESG-CV2) authorized by the CARES Act to support the City's effort to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following summarizes the second ESG-CV2 allocation and the proposed activities that will be funded to address the growing effects of the public health crisis:
ESG-CV2: $19,212,248
$19,212,248 will be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless assistance, and to support homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. The following eligible activities will be funded with this allocation:
- Street Outreach: $1,922,285 will be used to fund essential services necessary to reach out to unsheltered homeless individuals and families and connect them with emergency shelter, housing or other critical services.
- Emergency Shelter: $4,253,669 will be used to extend temporary shelter to vulnerable individuals who are receiving homeless assistance.
- Homelessness/Eviction Prevention: $3,192,259 will be used to support additional homelessness prevention activities.
- Rapid Re-Housing: $7,922,810 will be used to support additional homelessness assistance activities.
- Administration, Planning and Coordination: $1,921,225 will be used for the purposes of program administration, planning and coordination.
Further City Council action will be required to enter into any new contracts, or to modify any existing contracts, with service providers for services funded under these eligible activities. If any additional federal funds are provided, a subsequent substantial amendment will be brought to council for approval.
Procurement Information
Services may be procured, as needed, by utilizing procurement practices in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10 to implement and administer U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded programs intended to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial Impact
These activities are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Coronavirus Aid, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On May 6, 2020, City Council authorized a Substantial Amendment to the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan's 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan to include the first release of allocations and waivers authorized by the CARES Act.
On Jan. 21, 2021, the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee recommended City Council approval of this item.
Public Outreach
As part of the CARES Act, HUD approved an expedited public outreach process that allows the flexibility to institute more streamlined requirements to address immediate needs regarding to the Coronavirus. The HUD process includes the following:
- The reduction of the 30-day public comment period and the implementation of a public comment period of no less than five days in an effort to expedite the Consolidated Plan Substantial Amendment process and allow the City to respond as quickly as possible to the immediate needs in the community.
- The elimination of in-person public hearings and the implementation of virtual public hearings when 1) national and/or local health authorities recommend social distancing and limiting public gatherings for public health reasons, and 2) virtual hearing provide reasonable notification and access for citizens in accordance with Phoenix's certifications, timely responses from local officials and to all citizen questions and issues, and public access to all questions and responses.
The comment period for this substantial amendment was open from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2021. The virtual public hearing took place on Jan. 22, 2021.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Neighborhood Services and Human Services Departments.