HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program Copyrighted
February 17, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 18.
ITEM TITLE: HOME Tenant Based RentalAssistance Program
SUM MARY: City Manager recommending authorization of an application
to the lowa Finance Authority(I FA)for the administration of
the HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.
RESOLUTION Authorizing the Mayorto execute an
application for the HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Program and authorizing the Director of Housing and
community Development and the City Manager to approve
the application
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File;Adopt
Resolution(s)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
I FA Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution to Submit Application for Funding Resolutions
Dubuque
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: lowa Finance Authority (IFA) HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Program Application
DATE: February 9, 2020
Housing & Community Development Director Alexis Steger recommends City Council
authorization of an application to the lowa Finance Authority (IFA) for the administration
of the HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.
In September 2020, the Dubuque Community School District approached the Housing &
Community Development Department because they had identified more homeless
students at the beginning of the school year than historically were identified throughout
an entire year. The increase in homeless students was a major concern as students in
a homeless situation experience lower attendance rates, inconsistent food/shelter
causing the inability to concentrate at school, as well as many other barriers.
The HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program allows the City of Dubuque to
apply for housing assistance that would specifically target homeless families with
students in the Dubuque Community School District. The City of Dubuque is in a
unique situation to serve the homeless in Dubuque, but just needs the funding to be
effective. The City of Dubuque would apply for $999,944 in HOME Tenant Based
Rental Assistance starting July 1, 2020. The Dubuque Community School District is
prepared to partner with the Housing & Community Development Department to identify
families eligible for this assistance prior to the school year ending. Providing housing
assistance prior to the next school year, will ensure the greatest impact for students
entering the school year with housing stability. New families coming into the school
district in August 2020 will also be targeted for this assistance, should the City of
Dubuque be successful in their application.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
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Dubuque
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TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
DATE: February 7, 2020
RE: lowa Finance Authority (IFA) HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Program Application
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's authorization of an
application to the lowa Finance Authority (IFA) for the administration of the HOME
Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program.
Background
The HOME TBRA program provides rental assistance to low-income persons, targeted
at specific vulnerable populations in the community. The programs goal is to provide
housing assistance for up to 24 months to individuals/families to provide consistent
housing situations when the funds of the community are unable to support the need for
housing assistance.
Discussion
In September 2020, the Dubuque Community School District approached the Housing &
Community Development Department because they had identified more homeless
students at the beginning of the school year, than historically were identified throughout
an entire year. The increase in homeless students was a major concern as students in a
homeless situation experience lower attendance rates, inconsistent food/shelter causing
the inability to concentrate at school, as well as many other barriers.
The HOME TBRA program allows the City of Dubuque to apply for housing assistance
that would specifically target homeless families with students in the Dubuque
Community School District. The City of Dubuque is in a unique situation to serve the
homeless in Dubuque, but just needs the funding to be effective. The City of Dubuque
would apply for $999,944 in HOME TBRA starting July 1, 2020. The Dubuque
Community School District is prepared to partner with the Housing & Community
Development Department to identify families eligible for this assistance prior to the
school year ending. Providing housing assistance prior to the next school year, will
ensure the greatest impact for students entering the school year with housing stability.
New families coming into the school district in August 2020 will also be targeted for this
assistance, should the City of Dubuque be successful in their application.
A match is not required for this program; however, a significant amount of additional
points are awarded to applicants that provide up to 21% matching funds. The City of
Dubuque Gaining Opportunities program would be providing supportive services to the
homeless families identified through the HOME TBRA program. Therefore, the funding
being proposed in the FY 2021 budget for the continuing operation of that program,
$270,000, will be committed as match funding to receive the additional match funding
points.
Recommendation
I respectfully request City Council approve application to the lowa Finance Authority for
the use of up to $999,944 HOME TBRA funds for homeless families with children in the
Dubuque Community School District for Fiscal Year 2021.
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Prepared by Alexis Steger, Housing & Community Devel., 350 W. 6th St., Suite 312, Telephone: 563-690-6072
Return to: Kevin Firnstahl, City Clerk Address: City Hall- 50 W. 13th St Telephone: (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO.52-20
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN APPLICATION FOR
THE HOME TENANT BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
AND THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION
Whereas, the Iowa Finance Authority has published the availability of the HOME
Tenant -Based Rental Assistance program; and
Whereas, the Dubuque Community School District reported the highest number of
identified homeless children starting the 2019-2020 school year; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque proposes to use HOME Tenant -Based Rental
Assistance to provide housing to homeless families with children in the Dubuque
Community School District; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE IOWA THAT:
Section 1: The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to submit an application to
the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) for the HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance
program; and
Section 2: The Director of Housing and Community Development and the City
Manager are hereby authorized to approve the application that is submitted to IFA.
Section 3: The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to forward said
application and resulting standard executed contract to the respective agency in a
timely fashion and as required by the Iowa Finance Authority.
Passed, approved and adopted this 17th day of February 2020.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Kevin Firnstahl, tityClerk