| | | | | | | | Board Action Request 22-0384
|
| |
| | | | | | | | Item Description: Amd Board Resolution 22-0344 to correct funding language in Amd 1 to Agmt A2111105 with the City of Minneapolis to accept Federal Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA 2) funding for administration of ERA 2 tenant application program, amd the recv amt of $5,000,00 by $750,000 to $5,750,000, 11/01/21–11/30/22 |
| |
| | | | | | | | Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that board resolution 22-0344 be amended to correct funding language in Amendment 1 to Agreement A2111105 with the City of Minneapolis accepting Emergency Rental Assistance 2 subrecipient funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury pursuant to Division N, Title V, Subtitle A, Section 501 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, PL 116-260, for administration of an Emergency Rental Assistance Tenant Application Program, to clarify that the total of the Subgrant shall not exceed $5,750,000, that no less than ninety percent (90%) of the Subgrant shall be used by the Subrecipient to provide Financial Assistance, and that no more than ten percent (10%) of the Subgrant may be used by the Subrecipient for Housing Stability Services and Administrative Costs, for the period of November 1, 2021 through November 30, 2022, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Services and Public Health department receive a supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to the 2022 Human Services and Public Health budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continuing funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program if these grant funds are not made available or when grant funds are no longer available. |
| |
| | | | | | | | Background:
An earlier version of Amendment 1 to Agreement A2111105 was approved by the Board (Resolution 22-0344) on August 16, 2022. However, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County agreed to changes to strengthen not-to exceed language in the amendment. So, board action is requested to amend Resolution 22-0344.
The City of Minneapolis was awarded funding, pursuant to Division N, Title V, Subtitle A, Section 501 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, (Pub. L. 116-260), as a one-time direct allocation of Emergency Rental Assistance funding (ERA 1) from the United States Department of the Treasury. And, with this agreement (A2111105), the City is awarding a portion of its ERA 2 Funds in the amount of up to $5,750,000 to Hennepin County HSPH (Housing Stability), to administer an Emergency Rental Assistance Tenant Application Program.
Agreement A2111105 was approved by the Board (Resolution 21-0494) on December 14, 2021.
This first amendment to the agreement will increase the Not To Exceed receivable amount to $5,750,000 and so that that no less than 90% of the Subgrant shall be used by the Subrecipient to provide Financial Assistance, and that no more than 10% of the Subgrant may be used by the Subrecipient for Housing Stability Services and Administrative Costs as described in Section 3201(d)(1)(C) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“Administrative Costs”). The Subgrant may be used by the Subrecipient for eligible costs incurred between November 1, 2021 and November 30, 2022.
This program will be for eligible households of Minneapolis renters with income below 80% of AMI in which one or more individual can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and in which one or more individuals has either qualified for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to COVID19. Priority must be given to households with income less than 50% of AMI OR households with extended unemployment of at least 90 days prior to application for assistance.
To implement this program, the City has requested that Hennepin County staff assist with the distribution of Emergency Rental Assistance to expend funds to households in need of rent help as quickly as possible. Hennepin County Human Services Department staff will process applications for emergency housing and utility assistance using Allita’s online system. Rent and utility assistance payments will be paid through the County’s APEX system. Hennepin County will ensure access to these funds for underserved households by helping applicants gather needed information and documentation, submitting required reports to the City, and following guidelines of the US Department of Treasury.
Disparity Reduction: This board action request aligns with Hennepin County disparity reduction efforts by supporting housing stability for individuals who have past due rent. Over 10,000 applications for rent help have been submitted by Hennepin County residents. The majority of these are residents of the city of Minneapolis. | |
| | | | | | | | Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval | |
|