Authorize a resolution in support of the City participating in the \n \n establishment of a local Continuum of Care in accordance with the Homeless \n \n Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Continuum of Care Program \n \n as adopted in 24 CRF Part 578.
Approval
Pending
Background
The City has participated in a Continuum of Care Program in previous years.
This organization has primarily served as a mechanism to apply for federal
funds for local agencies providing services to the homeless or disadvantaged
families. Local agencies have received in excess of $1 million annually in
funding through this program in the past The adoption of the HEARTH Act
codifies in law the Continuum of Care planning process, by providing greater
coordination in responding to the needs of the homeless and directs HUD to
promulgate regulations for these new programs and processes. Under the new
regulations the Continuum of Care program is designed to promote community wide
goals to end homelessness: provide funding to quickly rehouse homeless
individuals and families while minimizing trauma and dislocation to those
persons; promote access to, and effective utilization of, mainstream programs;
and optimize self sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing
homelessness. The program is composed of transitional housing, permanent
supportive housing for disabled persons, permanent housing, supportive
services, and reporting through the Homeless Management Information System
(HMIS).
Analysis
The new regulations require communities to have established a Continuum of Care
Program and have a Board of Directors in place by August 30, 2014 and to meet
other regulatory deadlines later in the year in order to maintain eligibility
to apply for grant funding of the Continuum. The City has actively
participated in the past with the Continuum by providing funding through the
Homeless Resource Network to manage the local HMIS reporting and application
for Continuum funding to local agencies. The local Continuum of Care will be
guided by a Governance Charter created by local providers and stakeholders.
Financial Considerations
There is no direct financial impact to the City but failure to comply with the
regulations will result in numerous local agencies not receiving federal funds
to provide services to the homeless and disadvantaged families.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
None
Legal Considerations
None
Recommendations/ Actions
Authorize a resolution in support of the City participating in the
establishment of a local Continuum of Care in accordance with the Homeless
Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Continuum of Care Program