CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Agenda Date: October 3, 2022 Action Required: Approval and Appropriation Presenter: Misty Graves, Director of Human Services Staff Contacts: Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner Title: Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV Grant Amendment - $3,981 (2nd reading) 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