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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-115-12/20/2011-RELATING TO ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS DISPLACED FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE FORT COLLINS AREA RESOLUTION 2011 - 115 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS RELATING TO ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS DISPLACED FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE FORT COLLINS AREA WHEREAS , on November 15 , 2011 , as part of Ordinance No . 156, 2011 , the City Council appropriated $ 50 ,000 in funds for a relocation assistance program for displaced residents of affordable housing in the Fort Collins area; and WHEREAS , to implement this appropriation, staff has developed a proposed disbursement plan to take effect January 1 , 2012, subject to City Council approval through this Resolution (the "Disbursement Plan") ; and WHEREAS , a copy of the Disbursement Plan is attached as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS , the main elements of the proposed Disbursement Plan are as follows : • A cap of $2,000 per household would be imposed; • Applications would be processed in the order received until all funds have been disbursed; • Funds would be available only to low-income residents being displaced by redevelopment on property that is either in the City or adjacent to the City boundaries and within the Growth Management Area; • Funds could be used only for specific costs related to relocation; • Neighbor to Neighbor would administer the Disbursement Plan in exchange for a fee not to exceed 20% ; and WHEREAS , in 2012 the City' s Advance Planning Department would monitor and review the Disbursement Plan and develop recommendations for program improvements or enhancements as appropriate, with funding to continue the relocation assistance in fiscal years after 2012 being reviewed as part of the Budgeting for Outcomes process ; and WHEREAS , the disbursement of funds for the purposes described herein serves the public purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of a population at risk of becoming homeless in the general Fort Collins service area for social services, thereby placing a greater burden on the City ' s existing human services and law enforcement programs and creating other community costs associated with homelessness ; and WHEREAS , keeping people in the Fort Collins area in housing and supporting low-income and affordable housing options in the Fort Collins area also supports existing City policies . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the Disbursement Plan as described in this Resolution serves a public purpose by promoting the health, safety and general welfare of individuals at risk of becoming homeless in the Fort Collins community, thereby reducing a potential additional burden on City social services and law enforcement resources. Section 2. That the Disbursement Plan,in substantially the form attached as Exhibit"A", is hereby approved along with such additions or modifications to the Disbursement Plan as the City Manager, in consultation with the City Attorney, determines are necessary or appropriate to implement the Disbursement Plan, provided such additions or modifications do not materially change the scope or purpose of the Disbursement Plan. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 20th day of December A.D. 2011. FORT CO yor Off. �,........<� ATTEST: A.• °°;2 • •N SE s 0 City Clerk. •°COLOR�� EXHIBIT A CITY OF FORT COLLINS RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM—2012 (DRAFT.POLICY) A. Purpose The City of Fort Collins is allocating funds for a relocation assistance program for displaced residents of affordable housing in the Fort Collins area. Providing monetary assistance to displaced low-income residents in the City,.and on the fringes of the City within the City's Growth management Area, promotes the health,safety, and general welfare of a population that, without help, is at great risk of becoming homeless and placing greater burden on existing human service programs. Providing assistance in extreme cases where other resources are not available, not sufficient or residents cannot qualify helps to prevent imminent homelessness. B. Program Eligibility and Process 1) Funds are available only to low-income residents, defined as being below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the City of Fort Collins, who are losing their primary residence and being displaced due to redevelopment on property that is either in the City or adjacent to the City boundaries and within the Growth Management Area. 2) Payments are capped at $2,000 per household. Applications will be processed in the order they are received until all funds have been disbursed. 3) Funds may be paid directly to insured commercial service providers or reimbursed to residents. 4) Funds will be disbursed only upon receipt by the City of documentation establishing,to the City's reasonable satisfaction, actual costs incurred. 5) Funds may be used only for the following purposes: • moving costs, including costs to move a trailer or move personal belongings; • first month's rent for new housing; • security deposit for new housing; • temporary storage of belongings; • short-term hotel stays when a lease has been signed for new housing but such housing is not yet available; and • in the case of mobile homes, upgrades to mobile homes to enable acceptance at another park. 6) Residents displaced after October 1, 2011 may submit applications for funds beginning January 1, 2012. Residents must submit their applications within 30 days after moving out of the redevelopment property. Residents who moved prior to January 1, 2012, must submit their applications by January 31, 2012. C. Program Administration The Relocation Assistance Program will be administered by Neighbor to Neighbor in accordance with this policy. Administration includes reviewing applications, determining eligibility, disbursement of funds, all accounting, record keeping, and providing reports as requested. D. Program Revisions Advance Planning will monitor and review this relocation assistance program plan throughout implementation and will develop recommendations for program improvements or enhancements as appropriate. Funding for relocation assistance in fiscal years after 2012 will be reviewed as part of the Budgeting for Outcomes process for 2013-2014.