Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes reallocating $20,000 of state grant funding from The Road Home Dane County to Focus Counseling to increase their Rapid Rehousing Program contract. No additional City appropriation is required for the proposed contract amendments and funding reallocation.
Title
Authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the 2022-23 EHH contract with Focus Counseling to add $20,000 of State EHH funds reallocated from The Road Home Dane County
Body
BACKGROUND
The City of Madison works closely with Dane County CoC member agencies that serve people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless, and provides leadership and administrative support to the group. This collaborative work includes the City's administration of the State of Wisconsin EHH grant (EHH) on behalf of the Dane County CoC. EHH funds combine the HUD Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), State of Wisconsin Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) and Housing Assistance Program (HAP), and support the following eligible activities: emergency shelter, street outreach, homeless prevention, rapid re-housing and other housing programs, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and administration. The State Department of Administration's Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources ("the State") annually distributes available funds among four Wisconsin Continua of Care (CoC) serving Dane, Milwaukee, Racine, and the Balance of State. The Dane County CoC Board of Directors, using an open-competitive process, determines the specific agencies and uses for which State EHH funds are used.
The State awarded the Dane County CoC $897,412 in EHH funds in the 2022-2023 grant cycle. The Common Council authorized accepting the funds on behalf of the Dane County CoC and executing agreements with specific Dane County CoC agencies selected by the CoC Board of Directors on September 20, 2022 (RES-22-00650, File ID# 73098).
The Road Home Dane County (TRH) was previously awarded up to $20,000 of HAP funds to provide supportive services at Breese Apartments, a permanent housing program for families experiencing homelessness. However, TRH decided to return the funds due to complexity in complying with a specific state requirement regarding rent payment when working with participant families.
Focus Counseling’s Rapid Rehousing Program was the only program that was currently receiving EHH funds, eligible to receive HAP funds, and were able to comply with the specific funding requirement regarding rent payment. With additional funds, the program will serve more individuals experiencing homelessness. Dane County CoC Board of Directors approved $20,000 to be reallocated to Focus Counseling’s Rapid Rehousing Program at its November 18, 2022 meeting.
ACTION
WHEREAS, the Common Council authorized accepting $897,412 of State EHH funds on behalf of the Dane County CoC and executing agreements with specific Dane County CoC agencies selected by the CoC Board of Directors on September 20, 2022 (RES-22-00650, File ID# 73098); and,
WHEREAS, Dane CoC Board of Directors approved reallocation of $20,000 in HAP funds from TRH to Focus Counseling at its November 18, 2022 meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the 2022-23 EHH contract with Focus Counseling, increasing their Rapid Rehousing Program contract by $20,000.