...Title
Request Retroactive Authorization for U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild Grant, Transfer City-Owned Lots and Create Associated Positions (Ordinance S-46026)
Description
Request retroactive authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for and, if awarded, accept U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) YouthBuild grant funds totaling $1.5 million. Authorization also is requested to create two full-time temporary positions. Further request authorization to enter into contracts and agreements with Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona (Habitat), Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County (Literacy Volunteers), and Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) or other non-profit partners to fulfill the requirements of the grant. Request authorization to sell/dispose/convey two City-owned vacant lots to Habitat located at 1305 W. Polk St. and 1410 W. Polk St. as work site locations and provide down payment assistance to eligible home buyer(s) in accordance with approved U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. Further request authorization to take all other action necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of the grant. Request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item for the life of the grant.
Report
Summary
DOL announced the availability of Youthbuild grant funds on June 11, 2019 with proposals due on Aug. 6, 2019. YouthBuild is a community-based alternative education program for opportunity youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not working or enrolled in school. The YouthBuild program addresses issues important to youth in low-income communities including affordable housing, leadership development, education, and employment opportunities in high-demand industries and apprenticeship pathways. The model balances project-based academic learning and occupational skills training to prepare opportunity youth for career placement.
If awarded, the City of Phoenix will provide a community-based alternative education program to 84 youth through a cohort training model. Youth will receive integrated, project-based learning in construction, build three homes and earn at least one industry recognized credential.
Due to the limited time between the grant announcement and the grant proposal deadline, traditional competitive processes were not feasible for selecting grant partners to be competitive and meet proposal requirements. If awarded, the Human Services Department (HSD) will enter into agreements or contracts with:
- Habitat to provide construction training to opportunity youth and to build three single family homes. Habitat is uniquely positioned to partner with the City to provide construction training on low-income housing projects and will provide one work site located at 1101 W. Hadley St. In addition, Habitat will contribute $158,400 as in-kind match through construction curriculum, tools, on the job training, volunteer leadership, site supervision and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification for the participating youth.
- Literacy Volunteers will leverage resources in the amount of $179,200 to provide an Instructor for Adult Basic Education/GED® preparation. Literacy Volunteers is a State approved adult education provider that can provide services at no cost to the City.
- CPLC is an existing City of Phoenix contracted Workforce and Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) partner able to co-enroll in WIOA Youth programming and are located in the target service area. CPLC will provide office space and one Recruitment Specialist equivalent to $106,264 in in-kind match.
The City of Phoenix will contribute two vacant lots located at 1305 W. Polk St. and 1410 W. Polk St., as required by the grant terms. In addition, HSD has letters of commitment from five employment partners.
Contract Term
The grant period is from Nov. 1, 2019 through March 31, 2023.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding will be provided by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Housing and Urban Development. A 25 percent match is required and will be provided by the employment partners, Habitat and CPLC.
Location
1305 W. Polk St. and 1410 W. Polk St.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Human Services Department.