CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:       September 6, 2022

  Action Required:   Approval and Appropriation

  Presenter:         Misty Graves, Director

  Staff Contacts:    Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner

  Title:             Virginia Homeless Solutions Program (V.H.S.P.) Grant Award - $539,369
                     (2nd reading)


Background
The Department of Human Services in coordination with the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the
Homeless (B.R.A.C.H.) and the Service Provider Council (S.P.C.), applied for and received a grant
from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Virginia Housing
Solutions Program award is $539,369 and funds to be expended between July 1st, 2022 and March
31st, 2023.

Discussion
The City of Charlottesville has staff from the departments of Human Services and Social Services
taking leadership roles in the governance of B.R..A.C.H. V.H.S.P. (Virginia Homeless Solutions
Program) is an important resource in our community’s efforts to end homelessness. The grant
provides services in several points along the local continuum of services:

    1. Coordinated Assessment: The Haven serves as the physical front door to the homelessness
       system of care, using an evidence-based tool for determining priority access to available
       resources.
    2. Emergency Low Barrier Shelter P.A.C.E.M. provides a low-barrier shelter for adults using
       rotating local churches for support.
    3. Rapid Re-Housing & Housing Navigation: The Haven screens and administers rapid re-
       housing assistance and housing navigation to households experiencing homelessness.
    4. Case Management: The Haven provides supportive services including crisis intervention, case
       management and service referrals.
    5. 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
       B.R.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. H.M.I.S
       collaboration provides real-time monitoring of the needs and progress of individuals and
       households facing homelessness. Collaborative use of H.M.I.S. among B.R.A.C.H. Continium
       of Care Service Providers expedites communication and reduces the need to interface
       disparate documentation systems.
    6. Coalition Coordination: The Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless provides
       leadership and coordination for the required local homelessness continuum of care.
    7. Administration: The City of Charlottesville as the award recipient is eligible for an
       administrative fee. Staff proposes that we pass these dollars through to B.R.A.C.H. in
       recognition of staff time spent processing checks and managing this grant process.


Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
This grant advances the City of Charlottesville’s Strategic Plan Goal #1 of an inclusive community of
self-sufficient residents. Specifically, it will facilitate the objective of increasing affordable housing
options.

Community Engagement
This grant and plan are the product of extensive engagement of the service provider community for
persons experiencing homelessness. This is a partnership between B.R.A.C.H. and the priority
requests of the Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together (I.M.P.A.C.T.)

Budgetary Impact
This grant will be entirely State, and Federal pass-through funds. No local match is required. There is
no budget impact for the City of Charlottesville. 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:. Emergemcy low-barrier shelter,
coordinated assessment, rapid rehousing, H.M.I.S., coalition coordination and administration.

Attachments
1.   VHSP Resolution FY23