Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/14/2024 - Human Services And Housing Funding Board - Agenda - Regular Meeting02/14/2024 Agenda Page 1 HUMAN SERVICES & HOUSING FUNDING BOARD SUMMARY AGENDA REGULAR MEETING February 14, 2024 5:30PM – 7:00PM 222 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins - Colorado River Room **Additional viewing option via Zoom – details below** PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PERSON: Participation for this Human Services and Housing Funding Board regular meeting will be available in-person at the location identified above. Public participation is also available online or by phone via Zoom. ONLINE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: You will need an internet connection on a laptop, computer, or smartphone, and may join the meeting through Zoom at https://fcgov.zoom.us/j/97662045806?pwd=T0I4aDNNU0FuVDY4SUVSM2hyMllyQT09 Webinar ID: 976 6204 5806 (Using earphones with a microphone will greatly improve your audio). Keep yourself on muted status. For public comments, the Chairperson will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to comment. To participate online, individuals should join the Zoom meeting online and the chairperson will call upon each participant to speak. There is no physical location for public participation at this meeting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BY PHONE: Please dial +1 720 928 9299 and enter Webinar ID 976 6204 5806 Keep yourself on muted status. For public comments, when the Chair asks participants to click the “Raise Hand” button if they wish to speak, phone participants will need to press *9 to do this. Staff will be moderating the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Human Services & Housing Funding Board. When you are called, press *6 to unmute yourself. Documents to Share: Any document or presentation a member of the public wishes to provide to the Human Services & Housing Funding Board for its consideration must be emailed to amolzer@fcgov.com at least 24 hours before the meeting. Provide Comments via Email: Individuals uncomfortable or unable to access the Zoom platform or unable to participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing general public comments you may have to amolzer@fcgov.com. The Staff Liaison will ensure the Human Services & Housing Funding Board receives your comments. If you have specific comments on any of the discussion items scheduled, please make that clear in the subject line of the email and send at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. HUMAN SERVICES & HOUSING FUNDING BOARD SUMMARY AGENDA REGULAR MEETING February 14, 2024, 5:30PM – 7:00PM 222 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins - Colorado River Room 02/14/2024 Agenda Page 2 1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL 2. AGENDA REVIEW 3. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION (3 MINUTES PER INDIVIDUAL) 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 10, 2024 Regular Meeting 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Crossroads Safehouse Bringing Justice Home Update - Lori Kempter b. HOME-ARP Supportive Services Funding Deliberations - Hannah Tinklenberg & Beth Rosen 7. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS (Committees, Event attendance, etc.) 8. STAFF REPORTS a. Competitive Process Update a. Human Services Priorities Platform Update 9. OTHER BUSINESS (Board member concerns, Announcements) a. Grantee Client Story 10. NEXT MEETING a. Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 5:30pm | Location: Zoom/Online 11. ADJOURNMENT Human Services & Housing Funding Board REGULAR MEETING January 10, 2024 at 5:30 PM Remote/ZOOM DRAFT 1/10/2024 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER • At 5:31 PM the meeting was called to order by Olga Duvall. 2. ROLL CALL • Board Members Present o Olga Duvall, Vice Chair o Christine Koepnick o Erma Woodfin o Lori Kempter o Michaela Ruppert o Mike Kulisheck o Mike Nielsen o Pat Hastings (joined in progress) • Staff Members Present o Adam Molzer, Staff Liaison, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Beth Rosen, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Hannah Tinklenberg, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins o Tamra Leavenworth, Social Sustainability – City of Fort Collins • Guests Present o Councilmember Julie Pignataro For further information, details and insight, and audio recording, resources are available by contacting the HSHF-Board staff liaison. 3. AGENDA REVIEW Olga Duvall read remote session instructions for the Human Services & Housing Funding Board and public attendees. Adam Molzer reviewed the agenda. Beth Rosen requested that the Habitat for Humanity Funding Cancellation request be discussed prior to HOME-ARP Supportive Services so that Councilmember Pignataro could listen to the request and ask any questions before the request is taken to all of City Council. 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Pat Hastings motioned to approve the November 8, 2023 meeting minutes as presented. Michaela Ruppert seconded. Mike Kulisheck abstained because he was not a member in November. Approved 7-0. 6. COUNCIL LIAISON DIALOGUE – COUNCILMEMBER JULIE PIGNATARO Councilmember and HSHF-Board Council Liaison, Julie Pignataro, joined the HSHF-Board for discussion. Human Services & Housing Funding Board REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1 /10/2024 – MINUTES Page 2 Councilmember Pignataro shared that she may not continue to be the HSHF Board’s council liaison throughout 2024 because council liaisons will be determined at the Council Retreat on January 27. Councilmember Pignataro shared that every two years, City Council establishes a list of priorities they would like the City to focus on and that this is the primary purpose of the Council Retreat. Councilmember Pignataro shared some of her ideas for council priorities, which included addressing food insecurity, housing affordability, and prioritizing Vision Plan Zero, which addresses safety on roads for all types of commuters. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Habitat for Humanity 2022 Funding Cancellation – Beth Rosen • Beth Rosen explained that Habitat for Humanity is asking for a release from a contract and the accompanying release of restrictive covenants. In 2022, Habitat for Humanity was approved for a request of $80,000 to build a home. Part of the contract included a promissory note and an agreement of restrictive covenants that requires the home stay in the affordable housing inventory for 20 years. Habitat for Humanity is nearing completion of the home, and although the chosen homeowner has completed all the sweat equity over the last 2 years, their income has increased, and they no longer meet the eligibility requirements. Since there is an agreement of restrictive covenants, Beth must take the request to City Council. Beth explained that she is asking for a recommendation from the Board to support Habitat for Humanity’s request to be released from their contract with the City. If supported, the $80,000 will go back into this year’s spring competitive process for allocation to a new affordable housing project. • The Board asked Beth if the chosen homeowner still qualifies for Habitat for Humanity services, despite their income having increased. Beth explained that this is a question of affordability, so it gets tricky. In Fort Collins, the affordability crisis goes up to 120% AMI (Area Median Income) based on purchase prices. Thus, there are several community members whose income goes beyond low- income, so they don’t qualify for federal subsidy, but their income is as high as 120% AMI, so they also don’t qualify to move into home ownership affordably. It’s a business decision that Habitat for Humanity commits to their homebuyer at the beginning of the build process, and they believe the chosen homebuyer should still benefit from the sweat equity put into the home, as well as the lending model of 0% interest that Habitat for Humanity provides. • The Board asked Beth if Habitat for Humanity has homes that are not deed restricted. Beth explained that not all Habitat for Humanity homes are City-funded. However, starting in 2014, the City required that any new Habitat for Humanity builds that use City funds must have a 20-year restrictive covenant. • Councilmember Pignataro asked if the City were to release Habitat for Humanity from the contract, would the home go back into the affordable inventory when the selected homebuyer sells. Beth explained that it would not, but that Habitat for Humanity would have the first right of refusal. Mike Kulisheck motioned that the Board support Habitat for Humanity’s request for a cancellation of the contract and a release of the restrictive covenants. Erma Woodfin seconded. Approved 8-0. Human Services & Housing Funding Board REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1 /10/2024 – MINUTES Page 3 b. HOME-ARP Supportive Services – Hannah Tinklenberg & Beth Rosen • Hannah Tinklenberg joined the meeting to provide an overview of the HOME-ARP Supportive Services funding. The City received a $2.6 million federal allocation through the Home Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The board has recommended $2 million in Affordable Rental Housing for CARE Housing’s Heartside Hill Project and $400,000 remains to be allocated for Supportive Services. The purpose of supportive service funds is to assist persons currently experiencing homelessness and to prevent those precariously housed from becoming homeless. • The HOME-ARP Supportive Services application ran from December 1, 2023-January 5, 2024. Funding will be awarded to eligible organizations whose primary mission and services focus on homeless prevention and long-term housing stabilization. Priority will be given to organizations that work collaboratively across the Fort Collins community to provide supportive services to all HUD- targeted qualifying populations. Hannah provided an overview of qualifying activities, eligible program costs, and the criteria with which applications will be evaluated on. • Four applications were received – Neighbor to Neighbor for Housing Navigation, Homeward Alliance for Housing Navigation, Crossroads Safe House Road to Home, and Catholic Charities Samaritan House Homelessness Assistance. The total request amount is currently $618,233.35. • City staff are currently reviewing applications and preparing a summary that Board members will receive by January 26. Board members will make a funding recommendation at the next HSHF- Board meeting on February 14. c. 2024 Officers Nominations • Adam Molzer explained that the HSHF Board would need to vote for an Interim Board Chair since Josh Johnson resigned from the Board in December. With the recruitment timeframe for Boards and Commissions changing and HSHF Board members’ terms expiring in June/July, Adam explained that there will be a 12-month Chair and Vice Chair nomination and selection process sometime between July-September 2024 after new board members are onboarded. Olga Duvall made the motion for the Board to vote on filling the position of an Interim Board Chair today. Michaela Ruppert motioned to nominate Pat Hastings as Interim Board Chair. Mike Nielsen seconded. Pat Hastings abstained. Approved 7-0. The Vice Chair position remains filled by Olga Duvall. d. 2023 Annual Report • Adam Molzer presented an overview of the 2023 Annual Report, which included (but is not limited to) the following: • The Board held eight regular meetings and three special meetings related to the Competitive Funding Process. • The Board participated in one cycle of affordable housing and human service grants. There was also one special HOME-ARP housing project discussion in September. • The Board hosted guest speakers such as Councilmember Julie Pignataro, Beth Rosen Human Services & Housing Funding Board REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1 /10/2024 – MINUTES Page 4 who spoke about housing priorities, and Ingrid Decker who spoke about legal issues. • The Board helped to recommend $5.8 million toward human services, public service, and different housing projects. The Board requested an amendment to the 2023 Annual Report that a footnote be included with the asterisks in the ‘Number of Applications’ column to explain that the money was reallocated. Olga Duvall motioned to approve the 2023 Annual Report with the requested amendment. Mike Kulisheck seconded. Approved 8-0. e. Competitive Process Update & Schedule of Activities • January 9 – Funding process began for Housing and Human Service organizations to submit their Intent to Apply (by January 24). • February 13 – Deadline for funding proposals, after which City staff will create a summary for both Housing and Human Services. • In early March, Board members will be provided workbooks and have the opportunity to review applications. • In early March, a special grant renewal process for the four programs that are receiving the multi- year CDBG Public Service dollars will open. • March 27 – The HSHF Board will host a joint board meeting with the Affordable Housing Board. Local affordable housing developers will offer live presentations for funding proposals. • April 10 – Board members will meet to evaluate and discuss proposals, but not funding. A preliminary housing discussion to create a draft ranking of proposals will be conducted. • April 30 & May 1 – Final funding recommendations will be made. 9. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS None. 10. STAFF REPORTS a. Human Services Priorities Platform Update • Adam Molzer shared that he presented to City Council at a Work Session on the Human Services Priorities Platform on December 12, 2023. The presentation included an overview of current priorities and a project timeline. • Adam shared that he will be seeking feedback and endorsement from the HSHF Board and hopes to roll out the updated platform at the end of 2024, meaning it will change the 2025 competitive funding process. 11. OTHER BUSINESS Grantee Client Story: Adam Molzer shared a brief impact story submitted by Easterseals in a recent report. 12. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 5:30pm | 222 Laporte Avenue – Colorado River Room Human Services & Housing Funding Board REGULAR BOARD MEETING 1 /10/2024 – MINUTES Page 5 13. ADJOURNMENT Olga Duvall adjourned meeting at 7:08 PM. Minutes were finalized and approved by the Human Services & Housing Funding Board on ____________________. HOME-ARP: Supportive Services | Staff Summary Funding Focus & Fit: HOME-ARP Supportive Services funding will be awarded to eligible organizations whose primary mission and services focus on homeless prevention and long-term housing stabilization. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan submitted to HUD states “Priority will be given to organizations that work collaboratively across the Fort Collins community to provide supportive services to all HUD-targeted qualifying populations.” Evaluation Method & Priorities (per Application Guide): In the event there are more requests than available funds, priority will be given to applications in the following order: 1. Tier 1: First consideration to applicants that work collaboratively across the Fort Collins community to provide supportive services to all qualifying populations. 2. Tier 2: Applications that limit funding to specific targeted populations and/or households enrolled in programs with limited capacity. Request # Agency Request Title Total Request Priority Tier SS-3 Homeward Alliance Housing Navigation $200,000 1 SS-4 Neighbor to Neighbor Housing Navigation $200,000 1 Total Priority Tier 1 Response Costs $400,000 SS-1 Catholic Charities Samaritan House FC Homelessness Assistance $103,233.35 2 SS-2 Crossroads Safehouse Road to Home $115,000 2 Total Priority Tier 2 Response Costs $218,233.35 Total Request Costs $618,233.35 C HUD Allocation: $400,000 SS-1 Priority Tier 2 Catholic Charities Samaritan House FC Homelessness Assistance $103,233.35 Requested Funding is for Catholic Charities Samaritan House Fort Collins which provides emergency shelter for individuals and households experiencing homelessness. Within the shelter, clients may be selected to participate in the 24/7 extended stay shelter program where they receive resource navigation and work with a case manager to identify barriers to stable housing. Over a 120-day period, clients will work on resolving those barriers, including obtaining income, supportive services, and housing search assistance to allow them to move into housing upon program completion. Clients are selected to enter the extended stay program based on the availability of a case manager, space in the shelter, and client needs. HOME-ARP Supportive Services | Page 2 of 4 Request Eligible • Shelter staff (90% for caseworker salary and benefits, 10% indirect costs) $103,233.35 $103,233.35 Staff Evaluation & HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Alignment: • Does not meet the stated priority preference for organizations that work collaboratively across the community to provide supportive services to all qualifying populations. • Program provides services to one of the specific targeted populations – Homeless (McKinney-Vento definition). Note: applicant selected that they serve all qualifying populations in the application, however, agency clarified that while clients may fit under another qualifying population, they must be homeless or unhoused to receive shelter services. • 100 unduplicated individuals/households will receive the services of a shelter case-manager. Applicant expects that 50-60% of those served will move into housing. • This funding would provide no direct financial assistance to clients. Applicant has indicated that through other grant funding, some clients may be eligible (must meet the grant’s eligibility requirements) to receive financial assistance to cover the costs of some expenses such as application fees, deposits, and first-month’s rental costs. • Organization works collaboratively across the community to receive referrals from other entities; however, clients must currently be experiencing homelessness to receive services. Program will not serve unhoused clients who are not staying in the shelter. • Shelter clients can be referred to either of the Priority 1 applicants to receive assistance. • Organization has previous experience managing federal CDBG- or HOME-funded activities. • Staff have mild concerns related to performance if applicant were to receive funding from this grant. Prior history has included returned/unexpended funds of special funding awarded for Covid Relief with the CDBG-CV funding. SS-2 Priority Tier 2 Crossroads Safehouse Road to Home $115,000 Requested Funding is for Crossroads Safehouse’s Road to Home (RTH), a rapid re-housing program, serving individuals and families who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are experiencing homelessness or face housing instability as a result of abuse. RTH participants occupy a wing within the shelter where they receive a broad spectrum of financial and supportive services that are aimed at shepherding victims through their transition from homelessness to permanent housing. Participants benefit from intensive and extended case management services from the beginning of the housing search process, through lease up, and for 24 months after becoming housed (program duration is typically 18 months up to 3 years). Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) is used to prioritize clients based on their level of vulnerability and housing needs. Request Eligible • Direct client assistance: primarily housing related expenses crucial for maintaining stable housing $100,000 $100,00 • Partial salary for part-time bilingual housing advocate $15,000 $15,000 HOME-ARP Supportive Services | Page 3 of 4 Staff Evaluation & HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Alignment: • Does not meet the stated priority preference for organizations that work collaboratively across the community to provide supportive services to all qualifying populations. • Program provides services to one of the specific targeted populations – fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by HUD. • Funds will directly support housing stabilization for 6 new unduplicated individuals/households. • This is a longer-term housing assistance program than is being proposed by either of the Priority 1 applications. • Organization works collaboratively across the community to receive referrals from other entities. Only those persons fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking would be served by this program. • Road to Home participants can be referred to either of the Priority 1 applicants to receive assistance. • Organization has previous experience managing federal CDBG- or HOME-funded activities. • Staff have no concerns related to organization, this request, or prior performance. SS-3 Priority Tier 1 Homeward Alliance Housing Navigation $200,000 Requested Funding will expand existing services, enabling Homeward Alliance (HWA) to provide more comprehensive support and follow-up to assist participating households experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing and, for those who are precariously housed and at high-risk of homelessness, regain stability in their permanent housing. All participating individuals/households will receive case management, work with staff to create a housing action plan, and receive direct assistance for unmet financial needs to address barriers that prevent them from obtaining housing. While clients can be served by the organization indefinitely, service length from this request may vary from 3 months to 1 year (monthly check-ins may continue longer). For this funding opportunity, Homeward Alliance has collaborated with Neighbor to Neighbor to prevent duplication of housing navigation services with HWA focusing activities on households with higher vulnerabilities/barriers. Request Eligible • Direct client assistance: housing related expenses need to obtain housing or stabilize in existing housing $140,000 $140,000 • Salary and benefits for two 0.5 FT (1 FTE total) Housing Specialists $60,000 $60,000 Staff Evaluation & HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Alignment: • Meets the stated priority preference for organizations that work collaboratively across the community to provide supportive services to all qualifying populations. • Funds will directly support housing stabilization for 30 new unduplicated individuals/households. • Organization works collaboratively across the community to receive referrals from other entities. • Organization has previous experience managing federal CDBG- or HOME-funded activities. • Staff have no concerns related to organization, this request, or prior performance. HOME-ARP Supportive Services | Page 4 of 4 SS-4 Priority Tier 1 Neighbor to Neighbor Housing Navigation $200,000 Requested Funding is for Neighbor to Neighbor’s (N2N) Housing Search Assistant Case Management program, a sub- program of N2N’s Housing Solutions Program and will allow N2N to make a one-time investment to stabilize vulnerable clients with move-in assistance and secure stable housing. N2N’s Housing Search Assistance (HSA) case manager works alongside their caseload of families to secure stable housing, specifically for individuals/households experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Most clients who receive HSA case management are moved into housing within 6 weeks of starting the process and will receive ongoing support for up to 3 months after securing housing. For this funding opportunity, Neighbor to Neighbor has collaborated with Homeward Alliance to prevent duplication of housing navigation services with N2N focusing activities on households with fewer vulnerabilities/barriers. N2N’s HSA program receives move-in assistance referrals through a coordinated process between Homeward Alliance, Housing Catalyst, Catholic Charities, Crossroads Safehouse, and N2N, as well as other housing providers. Request Eligible • Direct client assistance: housing related expenses needed to obtain housing or stabilize in existing housing $145,000 $145,000 • 60% of salary for Housing Navigation Case Worker $55,000 $55,000 Staff Evaluation & HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Alignment: • Meets the stated priority preference for organizations that work collaboratively across the community to provide supportive services to all qualifying populations. • Funds will directly support housing stabilization for 30 new unduplicated individuals/households. • Organization works collaboratively across the community to receive referrals from other entities. • Organization has previous experience managing federal CDBG- or HOME-funded activities. • Staff have no concerns related to organization, this request, or prior performance.