CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Agenda Date: February 1, 2021 Action Required: Approval and Appropriation Presenter: Kaki Dimock, Director, Human Services Staff Contacts: Kaki Dimock, Director, Human Services Title: Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/H.I.V. (H.O.P.W.A.) Grant Award - $20,000 Background: The Department of Human Services, in coordination with the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (T.J.A.C.H.) and the Service Provider Council (S.P.C.), received a grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This additional Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/H.I.V. (H.O.P.W.A.) award is $20,000 and is a second supplemental grant based on the COVID-19 pandemic for July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Discussion: The City of Charlottesville has staff from Human Services and Social Services taking leadership roles in the governance of T.J.A.C.H. H.O.P.W.A. is an important resource in our community’s efforts to end homelessness. The grant provides services in four key areas. 1. Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (T.B.R.A.): The Thomas Jefferson Health District (T.J.H.D.) partners with The Haven to provide T.B.R.A. to eligible participants. The T.J.H.D. screens participants for eligibility and inspects the proposed property to ensure that it meets HUD requirements. Upon successful screening, The Haven contacts the landlord to arrange monthly rent payment, similar to rapid re-housing. 2. Short-term Rental, Mortgage and Utility Assistance: T.J.H.D. screens eligible participants for short-term assistance including emergency utility payments to avoid shut- off. 3. Supportive Services: T.J.H.D. provides supportive services including crisis intervention, case management and service referrals. 4. Homeless Management Information System (H.M.I.S.): The City of Charlottesville as the award recipient will ensure that H.M.I.S. data is complete through an agreement with T.J.A.C.H. to have the Executive Director ensure data quality. Our Continuum of Care (C.O.C.) has a well-populated database for individuals experiencing homelessness. HMIS collaboration provides real-time monitoring of the needs and progress of individuals and households facing homelessness. Collaborative use of H.M.I.S. among T.J.A.C.H. Continuum of Care Service Providers expedites communication and reduces the need to interface disparate documentation systems. 5. Administration: The City of Charlottesville as the award recipient is eligible for an administrative fee. Staff proposes that we pass these dollars through to T.J.H.D. & The Haven to support the supervision of assigned staff. Community Engagement: This grant and plan are the product of extensive engagement of the service provider community for persons experiencing homelessness. This partnership is reflective of the new governance model for T.J.A.C.H. and the priority requests of the Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together (IMPACT). Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan: This grant advances the City of Charlottesville’s Strategic Plan Goal #1 of enhancing the self sufficiency of our residents. Specifically, it will facilitate the objective of increasing affordable housing options. This item primarily aligns with Council’s vision for Quality Housing Opportunities for All. Budgetary Impact: There is no budget impact for the City of Charlottesville. This grant will be entirely State, and Federal pass-through funds. No local match is required. All funds will be distributed to sub- recipients for service provision. Recommendation: Staff recommends approval and appropriation of grant funds. Alternatives: Council may elect to not accept the funds and the community will not have the capacity to administer the following services to persons experiencing a housing crisis while managing AIDS/H.I.V:. short-term rental assistance, utility assistance, rapid rehousing, H.M.I.S., and administration. Attachments: Appropriation APPROPRIATION Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/H.I.V. Grant $20,000 WHEREAS, The City of Charlottesville, through the Department of Human Services, has received the H.O.P.W.A. Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in the amount of $20,000 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville,Virginia that the sum of $20,000 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenues $20,000 Fund: 209 IO: 1900390 (H.O.P.W.A.) G/L: 430120 Federal Pass-Thru State Expenditures $20,000 Fund: 209 IO: 1900390 (H.O.P.W.A.) G/L: 530550 Contracted Services BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon receipt of $20,000 in funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.