CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:        September 19, 2022

  Action Required:    Approval and Appropriation

  Presenter:          Misty Graves, Director

  Staff Contacts:     Misty Graves, Director

  Title:              Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (BRACH) reimbursement of
                      funds for staff costs to support the Homeless Information Line -
                       $15,381.60 (1 of 2 readings)


Background
Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (B.R.A.C.H) and the Department of Human Services in
coordination with other service providers in Charlottesville participate in the areas Coordinated Entry
System for Homelessness Services. The US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
requires that each community receiving federal funds for homeless assistance programs must
include a network of homeless service providers participating jointly to coordinate the access to and
provision of homeless services. This Coordinated Entry System must be accessible, fair, and provide
a consistent experience for all households seeking to access homeless services.

Discussion
Human Services will provide to the Charlottesville area Continuum of Care (C.o.C) and B.R.A.C.H in
operating the phone entry point for the Coordinated Entry System. Human Services will provide
staffing of the phone-line entry point for the Coordinated Entry System from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM,
Monday through Friday each week. The Human Services Community Resource Navigator staff
member will utilize the local Homeless Management Information System (H.M.I.S) provided by
B.R.A.C.H to document each call received and to provide electronic referrals for homeless
assistance.

B.R.A.C.H will provide $15,381.60 annually to Human Services to support the Community Resource
Navigator position staffing the phone line for 15 hours per week. Disbursements will be made
quarterly to Human Services in the amount of $3,845.40.

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.

Community Engagement
The Homeless Information Line number is posted on the City website and flyers are distributed
throughout the community. Service providers who are currently working with people experiencing
homelessness refer them to the Homeless Information Line. The Community Resource Navigator
attends regular coordination meetings to provide updates and feedback to the Coalition and its
partners.

Budgetary Impact
Funds will be posted as revenue to the Department of Human Services.

Recommendation
Staff recommends approval and appropriation of funds.

Suggested Motion: “I move the RESOLUTION Appropriating the Amount of
$15,381.60 Received from Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless, as reimbursement of
Homeless Information Line Staff Costs”

Alternatives
If funds are not approved and appropriated, the Homeless Information Line will operate and this
would be detrimental to the Coordinated Entry System, its partners and most importantly, our
community's most vulnerable citizens.

Attachments
1.   RESOLUTION BRACH reimbursement Appropriation 9.19.22