City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 2, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of a Proposed Post CARES Act Funding Plan for to Continue Addressing Food Insecurity and Eviction Prevention.
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ISSUE: The need for food distribution and eviction prevention for those most at risk in our community will continue beyond the City’s CARES Act allocation from the Commonwealth of Virginia which expires December 30, 2020.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve an allocation of $375,000 to support a four-month program of food security and $625,000 to support eviction prevention for City residents most at risk for the period covering January through April 2021.
BACKGROUND: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has collaborated with many partners to respond to demand from City residents for food and financial assistance. With particular support from ALIVE!, Inc., ACT for Alexandria, Senior Services of Alexandria, Alexandria City Public Schools, the faith and food pantry network, the City responded to emerging food needs through a number of mediums. The subsequent allocations of CARES Act funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia fortified these efforts and resulted in the distribution of over 3,388,053 meals to individuals and families since early spring.
Through the work of the Office of Housing, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), Legal Services of Northern Virginia and many other key community partners, evictions and displacements have been avoided through the use of CARES Act funding as well as other federal funds. The City is also working closely with the Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development Rent and Mortgage Relief Program. These resources enabled the provision of $7 million in eviction prevention assistance to help close to 2,500 individuals and families at-risk of eviction and homelessness.
CARES Act funding expires December 30, 2020 and there has been no promising indication of renewed federal support to state and local governments to help those economically impacted by the pandemic before the end of December. By all accounts, the need for assistance, particularly in these two areas will, continue after the existing CARES resources are fully expended.
DISCUSSION: It is proposed that an additional appropriation of $1 million approved by City Council be allocated in the following manner (plan is attached):
1. $375,000 for a continued collaboration with ALIVE! for large scale monthly food distribution events, home deliveries and local pantry supply and support. With this additional funding, it is estimated that 12,000 to 14,0000 individuals can be served per month through April 2020.
2. $625,000 to provide rental/eviction prevention assistance through DCHS’ Office of Community Services to benefit renters facing eviction and most at-risk of homelessness. This funding would support an estimated 200 households during the early months of 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $1 million will derive the recent reimbursement by FEMA of FY 2020 COVID-19 expenses in November which was received by the City after the close of the FY 2020 fiscal year. FEMA reimbursed the City some $3.7 million. The balance of the FEMA reimbursement will be used help close part of the FY 2021 revenue gap, as well as to help pay for some likely unreimbursed future COVID-19 related expenses such as for the extensive vaccination efforts. These funds will be additionally leveraged by approximately $950,000 in CDBG-CV funds that City Council will be asked to allocate for rental assistance, utility payment assistance and other eviction prevention and mitigation uses.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Post CARES Funding Plan
2. CARES Fund Spending Status
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Kate Garvey, Director, Department of Community and Human Services
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Helen McIlvaine, Director, Office of Housing
Lesa Gilbert, Director, DCHS, Center for Economic Support
Eric Keeler, Deputy Director, Office of Housing.