REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: BRANDON SISK, Senior Management Analyst
Housing and Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve agreement between the City of Fresno and Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministry (FIRM) in the amount of $459,266.79 in Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds to provide tenant and landlord counseling.
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council approve a subrecipient agreement with FIRM to fund the provision of a tenant and landlord counseling program for individuals impacted by COVID-19.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council previously approved CDBG-CV funds for a tenant and landlord counseling program. The City released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to invite applicants to apply for funding for tenant and landlord counseling. Two applications were received and assessed by staff which is proposing to award $459,266.79 in CDBG-CV funds to FIRM for its proposed tenant and landlord counseling program for individuals impacted by COVID-19.
BACKGROUND
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), HUD allocated additional entitlement funds to the City of Fresno to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) through CDBG-CV funds.
On February 18, 2021, the Council adopted Substantial Amendment 2019-06 through Resolution 2021-049 allocating $480,000 of CDBG-CV funds for a tenant and landlord counseling program for individuals impacted by COVID-19. On September 16, 2021, Council approved a $100,000 agreement with Community Housing Council of Fresno (CHC) for tenant and landlord counseling. Despite marketing efforts, CHC was unable to attract many clients who needed the services and only expended $20,733.21 of the available funds making $459,266.79 available for an additional prog...
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