Title
Authorization to Amend Intergovernmental Agreement with Maricopa County for Affordable Housing and Authorization to Award Funds to Senior Bridge, LLC (Ordinance S-51736) - District 8 & Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to amend intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County to modify Senior Bridge affordable housing project eligibility criteria and unit make-up. Additionally, request to modify prior Council authorization for Senior Bridge project (Ordinance S-51553) to reflect changes in the IGA's project scope and to authorize award of up to $6 million to Senior Bridge, LLC, an affiliate of the originally-named grantee, Steel & Spark, LLC. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse all funds related to these items.
Report
Summary
As originally authorized via Ordinance S-51553, the City of Phoenix entered into an IGA with Maricopa County on or about December 18, 2024, whereby the County awarded American Rescue Plan Act funds to the City to provide shelter and transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in the City as well as funding for an affordable housing development for seniors (Senior Bridge Project). If this item is approved, up to $6 million of the County funding will still be used to support the Senior Bridge Project, as reflected in Ordinance S-51553 passed on December 18, 2024.
Following the initial Council authorization, the parties expressed a desire to make adjustments to the Senior Bridge Project scope, including changes to the affordable housing unit make-up and eligibility criteria for residents. The current desired project would allow up to 65 units to be developed, with 29 of those units designated to individuals exiting homelessness with an income under 30 percent Area Median Income (AMI) and 25 units with low (0-50 percent) to moderate (50-80 percent) AMI.
Accordingly, the Office of Homeless Solutions requests Council authorization for the Senior Bridge Project to be amended to reflect the modified eligibility criteria and unit make-up in both the IGA and the related Senior Bridge funding agreement, as well as to substitute Senior Bridge, LLC, an affiliate of Steel & Spark, LLC, as the recipient of Senior Bridge Project funding. Senior Bridge, LLC will receive up to $6 million of the funding provided by the County.
The City of Phoenix Housing Department will contribute up to $3,015,746 in HOME-ARP funds to this project previously authorized by City Council via Ordinance S-51498, for a total Senior Bridge grant value of up to $9,015,746. If this item is approved, the up to $6 million for the Senior Bridge project will be awarded via the same instrument as the already authorized Housing Department funding.
For clarity, Steel & Spark, LLC remains the recipient for $750,000 in funding for the co-located transitional housing project authorized via Ordinance S-51553.
Contract Term
The term of the IGA will remain unchanged. The term of the Senior Bridge project funding agreement with Senior Bridge, LLC will be as authorized via Ordinance S-51498.
Financial Impact
The amount of funding provided via this IGA to the Senior Bridge Project remains unchanged at up to $6 million. There is no impact to the General Fund, as funding is provided by Maricopa County.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- On December 4, 2024, the City Council authorized an Affordable Housing Loan Program agreement for the Senior Bridge Project with Ordinance S-51498.
- On December 18, 2024, the City Council approved the IGA with Maricopa County and related projects with Ordinance S-51553.
Location
Senior Bridge, 2853 E. Van Buren Street
Council Districts: 8 and Citywide
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.