CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



  Agenda Date:        September 19, 2022

  Action Required:    Approval and Appropriation

  Presenter:          Misty Graves, Director

  Staff Contacts:     Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner

  Title:              Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV Grant Amendment -
                      $3,981 (1 of 2 readings)


Background
The City’s Department of Human Services, in coordination with the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the
Homeless (B.R.A.C.H.), received a grant of funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and
Community Development, to support Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/H.I.V.
(H.O.P.W.A.). Recently, the City’s DHS received notice of an additional (supplemental) award of
H.O.P.W.A. funding, in the amount of $3,981.

Discussion
The City of Charlottesville has staff from Human Services and Social Services taking leadership roles
in the governance of B.R..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.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA): The Blue Ridge Health District (B.R.H.D.) partners with
The Haven to provide T.B.R.A. to eligible participants. The B.R.H.D. screens participants for eligibility
and inspects the proposed property to ensure that it meets H.U.D. requirements. Upon successful
screening, The Haven contacts the landlord to arrange monthly rent payment, similar to rapid re-
housing.

Short-term Rental, Mortgage and Utility Assistance: B.R.H.D.screens eligible participants for
short-term assistance including emergency utility payments to avoid shut-off.

Supportive Services: B.R.H.D. provides supportive services including crisis intervention, case
management and service referrals.

Permanent Housing Placement: BRHD partners with The Haven to provide security deposit
assistance to eligible participants.

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.H.D. & The Haven to support the
supervision of assigned staff.
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.

Community Engagement
This grant and plan are the product of extensive engagement of the service provider community for
persons experiencing homelessness.

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.

Recommended Motion: "I move the RESOLUTION appropriating the amount of $3,981 received
from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, for HOPWA"

Alternatives
Council may elect not to 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
1.   FY23 HOPWA Amendment