Title
Authorization to Apply, Accept, and Disburse Funds and Enter into Agreements for a Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Grant Opportunity (Ordinance S-50228)
Description
Request approval for the City Manager, or his designee, for the City of Phoenix Housing (HOU) and Planning and Development (PDD) departments to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles for Housing (PRO Housing) grant opportunity. If awarded, request approval to execute all contracts necessary to accept and disburse the grant funds. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, grant funds in accordance with the terms of the aforementioned grant.
Report
Summary
On Sept. 7, 2023, HUD issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the PRO Housing grant program with an application deadline of Oct. 30, 2023. HUD is providing $85 million in competitive federal grant funding for communities across the country to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. The PRO Housing grant is available to local and state governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and multi-jurisdictional entities. Up to $10 million per grantee is available over a six-year grant period. The PRO Housing grant program will fund projects that: develop, evaluate and implement housing policy plans; improve housing strategies and; facilitate affordable housing production and preservation. Award announcements are expected in late 2023.
The Phoenix City Council approved Housing Phoenix Plan includes Initiative 5 - Building Innovations and Cost Saving Practices - which include reduced planning and permitting fees. Pursuant to recent Phoenix City Council direction, the City intends to apply for the maximum grant award amount to support affordable housing permit fee waivers and expedited plan review services.
Contract Terms
The grant term is for up to six years from January 2024 to September 2029.
Financial Impact
No match or General Fund dollars are required for this grant.
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Gina Montes and Alan Stephenson, and the Housing and Planning and Development departments.