City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: HELEN S. MCILVAINE, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Request to Release FY 2024 Contingent Reserve Funds of $250,000 Allocated for a Local Housing Voucher Program Study.
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ISSUE: Release of $250,000 in FY 2024 contingent reserve funds for a Local Housing Voucher Program study.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the release of contingent funds allocated in the FY 2024 budget process for a local housing voucher program study and to potentially support other consultant work related to the upcoming Housing Master Plan Update.
BACKGROUND: During the FY 2024 City budget process, City Council allocated $250,000 in contingent reserve funds to enable the Office of Housing to undertake a study to determine the feasibility of a local housing voucher program and how best to structure (e.g., legal review, eligibility criteria, subsidy amounts, landlord engagement, administration and case management, sustainability strategies, etc.) a voucher-like program to stabilize housing and enable access for low-income households across the City's private rental market. In its action, City Council also proposed that any remaining funds be leveraged to support the upcoming Housing Master Plan Update.
DISCUSSION: Housing staff, in consultation with the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), have drafted and released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to several regional and national housing consulting firms seeking their expertise and experience to conduct the above-described feasibility study and provide the City with several potential models and structures for the ongoing administration, operation, and fun...
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