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RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO INCLUDE $1,986,658 OF NEW HOME-ARP FUNDS FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTING THE HOME-ARP ALLOCATION PLAN AS A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law to provide assistance to communities’ ongoing response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the city has been notified by HUD that it will receive $1,986,658 via the HOME-ARP funding; and
WHEREAS, the city council approved, by resolution 21-0077R, the 2021 annual action plan, part of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, on February 8, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the HOME-ARP funding allocation is for the purpose of reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability across the country; and
WHEREAS, the city has collected public input to identify community priorities for HOME-ARP funds; and
WHEREAS, the city’s community development committee has reviewed and approved an Allocation Plan for HOME-ARP funds that reflect community priorities; and
WHEREAS, upon approval, appropriate city officials will submit the required documentation of the substantial amendment to HUD;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the city council hereby amends the 2021 annual action plan adopted by resolution 21-0077R to include the $1,986,658 in HOME-ARP funds and the addition of new goals to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability set forth in the Allocation Plan.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan describes how Duluth plans to use a one-time allocation of $1,986,658 through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The money is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program and must be used to support four populations within our community: (1) Homeless as defined at 24 CFR 91.5; (2) At Risk of Homelessness as defined at 24 CFR 91.5; (3) People Fleeing or Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking, and; (4) Other populations requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness AND other populations at greatest risk of housing instability.
To develop the Allocation Plan, the City of Duluth (“the City”) sought input from community members as well as agencies and non-profit organizations that serve members of HOME-ARP’s Qualifying Populations. First, the City distributed a Community Needs Assessment Survey that was open to all members of the public for three weeks beginning on April 29, 2022. The survey closed on May 23, 2022. Respondents were asked to identify the eligible HOME-ARP activities that meet the most pressing needs of the City’s Qualifying Populations.
Next, the City’s community development committee held a public hearing on June 21, 2022, where agencies funded by HUD entitlement money offered testimony regarding their program performance, future plans, and recent trends among the Qualifying Populations they serve.
Finally, on June 29, 2022, the City hosted a virtual HOME-ARP consultation meeting with the local Continuum of Care and other agencies serving Qualifying Populations. This meeting focused specifically on the needs of each specific Qualifying Population in our community.
Collecting community input allowed the city to identify funding priorities and spending targets that are tailored to community needs for each eligible HOME-ARP activity. These are defined in the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. By adopting the Allocation Plan as a substantial amendment and adding these special funds and priorities to the 2021 annual action plan, the city is able to submit to HUD for approval.
The next step will be to identify specific activities and programs that will meet the community needs outlined in the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. This will likely take place through a Request for Proposal processes, anticipated to begin as quickly as possible. Following identification of specific activities and partners, contracts to establish those programs will be presented to the city council for approval.