Title
Authorization to Enter Into Agreements with Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., Foundation for Senior Living, Pilgrim Rest Foundation, Inc., and Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to Disburse Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance (ERA) Funding (Ordinance S-48203)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into agreements with Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., Foundation for Senior Living, Pilgrim Rest Foundation, Inc., and Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (collectively “Subrecipients”) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $35 million for distribution of emergency rental and utility assistance to low-income and/or unemployed populations experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
On Sept. 24, 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department issued guidance to ERA Program grantees on how to request reallocated excess ERA 1.0 funding. Human Services Department staff are recommending the City of Phoenix request an additional $35 million in ERA 1.0 funds to be distributed through the Subrecipients. The Subrecipients successfully distributed millions in ERA funding through the City's prior contract with the Arizona Community Action Association, dba Wildfire, and have demonstrated continued capacity and interest to distribute additional funding. Human Services Department staff recommendations allocating up to $10 million to each Subrecipient to allow staff flexibility to allocate more funding to Subrecipients with the capacity to more quickly distribute funds, while maintaining the $35 million aggregate cap for all agreements. The term of these agreements will begin on or about Jan. 1, 2022 and end Dec. 31, 2022. Each contract may be extended for up to two one-year periods, through Dec. 31, 2024, based on continuing need and availability of funding.
Financial Impact
Aggregate expenditures will not exceed $35 million. Each Subrecipient may be allocated up to $10 million, depending on performance and availability of funding. There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Feb. 9, 2021, the City Council approved the Emergency Rental Assistance 1.0 program with Ordinance S-47291.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.