City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 29, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: EMILY A. BAKER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
HELEN S. MCILVAINE, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING
ERIC KEELER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HOUSING
KIMBERLY CADENA, HOUSING ANALYST, OFFICE OF HOUSING
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing and Consideration of the Draft Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan.
BODY
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ISSUE: Introduction of the Draft Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan and Request for Public Hearing.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive the Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan;
2. Docket the Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan for Public Hearing and consideration April 23; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute any documents required to facilitate receipt of these and any related federal grant funds.
BACKGROUND: The City of Alexandria’s Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan (“Draft Allocation Plan”) has been prepared in accordance with regulations set forth by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These regulations require that potential recipients of HOME-ARP program funds submit an Allocation Plan to provide an overview of the current resources, needs, and gaps in the City’s shelter and housing inventory and its service delivery system to homeless persons, persons at-risk of homelessness, households with characteristics that put them at risk of homelessness, and other qualifying populations. The Allocation Plan must also list the activities which will address the priority needs and gaps identified in the Draft Allocation Plan. A copy of the Draft Allocation Plan is provided as an attachment.
The Draft Allocation Plan describes the City’s specific activities to be undertaken to address the needs and gaps in the City’s shelter and housing inventory and its service delivery system and what qualifying populations would be given preference in accessing those activities.
DISCUSSION: The Office of Housing prepared the information included in the Draft Allocation Plans in consultation with multiple City departments and agencies working with the targeted population, including the Department of Community and Human Services, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the City of Alexandria Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, as well as other area agencies and nonprofit organizations that provide services for homeless persons, persons at risk of homelessness, and other members of qualifying populations.
The Draft Allocation Plan was released on March 21, 2022, for the required 30-day public comment period, which will end on April 22, 2022. The Draft Allocation Plan contains the City’s application for an estimated $2,243,216 in HOME-ARP Program funds.
Release of the Draft Allocation Plan was announced by notices placed in local newspapers, on the City’s Affordable Housing eNews mailing list, and on social media. The Draft Allocation Plan was distributed to a host of interested parties on March 21, 2022, via email. The Draft Allocation Plan was posted on the City’s website at www.alexandriva.gov/Housing and hard copies are available at the Office of Housing and at City libraries. The Draft Allocation Plan was provided to the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee in its April meeting packet. A public hearing on the Draft Allocation Plan is proposed to be held as part of City Council’s public hearing on April 23. Comments may also be submitted via postal mail or email to the Office of Housing. The proposed Allocation Plan is docketed for City Council’s action on April 23 following the public hearing.
FISCAL IMPACT: Upon its approval of Alexandria’s Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan, HUD will appropriate a total of $2,243,216 in federal funds to the City.
ATTACHMENT: Draft Home Investment Partnership Program-American Rescue Plan
Allocation Plan
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Helen S. McIlvaine, Director, Office of Housing
Eric Keeler, Deputy Director, Office of Housing
Kimberly Cadena, Housing Analyst, Office of Housing