Label
HOME - American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Substantial Amendment
Department of Housing and Community Development
Dir. Rosalyn Clemens (x3647)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to submit a substantial amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan approved and submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in December 2022 and approved by the HUD Field Office in 2023 for the purpose of establishing a preference for supportive services funding for Qualifying Population 1 (QP1) -Homeless, as defined in 24 CFR 91.5 Homeless (1), (2), or (3); and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo has received a total HOME-ARP allocation of $7,912,758. Pursuant to the HOME-ARP Grant Agreement and Requirements for the Use of Funds in the HOME-American Rescue Plan Program (“Notice CPD 21-10”), and Ordinances 620-21, 663-22, and 325-25.
The HUD approved HOME-ARP Allocation Plan was created in consultation with homeless services providers and stakeholders. It contains a needs assessment and gap analysis to evaluate how HOME-ARP funding will be distributed and prioritized for the needs of the following Qualifying Populations (QP):
1. Homeless;
2. At risk of homelessness;
3. Fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;
4. Part of other populations where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent a family’s homelessness or would serve those with greatest risk of housing instability; and
Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the criteria of other HOME-ARP Qualifying Populations listed above.
The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan did not include a preference for any of the Qualifying Populations defined above. Since the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan was submitted and approved by HUD, homeless services providers are reporting a significant increase in homelessness in the City of Toledo and Lucas County, evidenced by an almost 14% increase between the 2022 and 2024 Point in Time count of individuals experiencing homelessness. Additionally, local stakeholders report that shelters within the Toledo/Lucas County Continuum of Care have been operating at or near capacity for several months and continue to maintain lengthy waitlists for both individuals and families. Collectively, these conditions point to the need for targeted supportive services that prioritize households currently experiencing homelessness.
The City’s current HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is grounded in two core strategies to address critical gaps in Toledo’s homelessness response system: (1) expanding access to affordable rental housing for HOME-ARP Qualifying Populations and (2) supporting the delivery of essential supportive services. To further advance these strategies and better respond to the needs of HOME-ARP Qualifying Populations, the City has determined that a Substantial Amendment is necessary to establish a Preference for individuals and households experiencing homelessness (QP1) within its HOME-ARP Supportive Services projects.
All four HOME-ARP Qualifying Populations will remain eligible to apply for the City’s HOME-ARP Rental Housing projects, which will not utilize a Preference. Aside from the addition of this supportive services Preference, all other components of the City of Toledo’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan will remain unchanged. The draft of the Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation plan is attached as Schedule A. Schedule B provides the HOME-ARP Grant budget. HOME-ARP funds expire September 30, 2030.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to submit the Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan with a Preference for Qualifying Population 1 for Supportive Services to HUD and the attached Schedule A.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into the necessary contracts or agreements to implement the activities and programs described in the Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, upon such terms and conditions as acceptable to the Director of Housing and Community Development and the Director of Law.
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency is the fact that this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property, and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to allow the City of Toledo to submit the Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan; and comply with the HOME-ARP Program regulations for establishing a Qualifying Population Preference for HOME-ARP Program Supportive Services expenditure.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council