Hsg - Fam Self Sufficiency ProgMEMORANDUM
May 12, 2003
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Applications for Family Self-Sufficiency and Homeownership Program
Coordinators
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is requesting
authorization to submit applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) for funds to renew the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator position,
in the amount of $40,848, and for a grant in the amount of $25,956 to contract for
homeownership counseling services with the Iowa State University-County Extension
Office.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
7 May 03
To: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
From: David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Applications for Family Self-Sufficiency and Homeownership Program
Coordinators
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's authorization to
apply to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funds
to renew our current Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) Coordinator and for
a contract with ISU-County Extension to provide homeownership counseling to
FSS Program participants.
Background
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program is intended to provide a system of supports
and incentives to Section 8 families in an effort to move them through the social
welfare system into economic independence.
Since 1996, the Housing Department has received annual funds to support the
FSS Coordinator position. After contracting with area social service agencies for
these responsibilities for several years, in FY02 we obtained sufficient funds to
employ a'full-time staffperson. We maintain a caseload of 45 families in this
program. Over the years, we have seen many success stories as families
complete programs of job training and education, obtain employment and
establish themselves independent of public assistance.
Beginning in FY03, HUD in addition offered an opportunity for housing authorities
to apply for funding for homeownership counseling for FSS participants. We
successfully applied, for a combined grant of $64 859. Subsequently, we signed
a $25 200 contract with the Dubuque County Extension office to provide the
counseling services.
Discussion
We have prepared the annual renewal application for the Coordinator position,
this year in the amount of $40 848; and for the homeownership counseling
contract in the amount of $25 956. It is expected that this funding will be auto-
matically renewed by HUD for another year, pending availability of sufficient
funding.
No resolution or chief executive's signature is required for application for the
HUD funds for these activities
Action Step
The action requested of the Council is to authorize submission of applications for
renewal of the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator grant, in the amount of
$40 848; and for a grant in the amount of $25 956 to contract for homeownership
counseling services with the Iowa State University-County Extension Office.