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.