Memorandum of Understanding with Operation New View for TBRA Grant AdministrationCopyrighted
March 16, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 12.
ITEM TITLE: Memorandum of Understanding with Operation New View
for TBRA Grant Administration
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of a Memorandum
of Understanding with Operation New View to ensure the
Tenant -Based Rental Assistance grant received by
Operation New View is administratively viable and
supported.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
RESOLUTION Approving a Memorandum of
Understanding between the City of Dubuque and Operation
New View for Administrative Assistance under the Tenant -
Based Rental Assistance Program
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt
Resolution(s)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Operation New View Tenant -Based Rental Assistance City Manager Memo
Grant MOU-MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution Resolutions
MOU Supporting Documentation
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
bitil
All-A.aia City
111111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Operation New View Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Grant
Administrative Assistance from the Housing & Community Development
Department
DATE: March 9, 2020
Operation New View was awarded a Tenant -Based Rental Assistance grant from the
Iowa Community Action Association. To administer that grant, Operation New View has
requested a small amount of assistance from the Housing & Community Development
Department. To ensure the expectations and service levels are met, a Memorandum of
Understanding will be executed between Operation New View and the City of Dubuque
as attached.
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger recommends City Council
approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Operation New View to ensure the
Tenant -Based Rental Assistance grant received by Operation New View is
administratively viable and supported.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Alexis M. Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
brAll
AII•Aneriea city
IIIIIF
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
City of Dubuque
Housing & Community
Development
350 W. 6th Street, Suite 312
Dubuque, IA 52001
Office (563) 589-4230
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Alexis M. Steger, Housing & Community Development Director
DATE: March 6, 2020
RE:
Operation New View Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Grant Administrative Assistance
from the Housing & Community Development Department
BACKGROUND
Operation New View was awarded a Tenant -Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) grant from the Iowa
Community Action Association. To administer that grant, Operation New View has requested a small
amount of assistance from the Housing & Community Development Department. To ensure the
expectations and service levels are met, a Memorandum of Understanding will be executed between
Operation New View and the City of Dubuque as attached.
DISCUSSION
Per the attached agreement, Operation New View will provide City of Dubuque residents with
financial assistance and supportive services through the TBRA program to a limited number of
qualifying participants.
The City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development Department will provide the following
services:
• Referral of participants over the 50% Area Median Income (AMI) requirements to receive
Housing Choice Vouchers, but under the 60% AMI as required by the TBRA program
• Provide Rent Reasonableness Assessments before initial inspection
• Conduct HQS Inspections for TBRA program units
• Provide Utility Allowance information from the Section 8 Program
All participants' information will remain confidential, and Federal Regulations will be followed for the
protection of documents and personal information.
This is the second time the City of Dubuque has assisted Operation New View with this grant. The
time commitment is minimal and services the same residents that the City of Dubuque wishes to
serve but is unable to due to budget restraints.
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request the City Council approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding with
Operation New View to ensure the TBRA grant received is administratively viable and supported. This
meets the City Council Goals to partner throughout the community to provide housing to those in
need.
Cc: Anthony Wernke, Operation New View Weatherization and Housing Director
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
RESOLUTION NO. 87-20
APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE AND OPERATION NEW VIEW FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE
UNDER THE TENANT -BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Operation New View received a Tenant -Based Rental Assistance
Grant from the Iowa Community Action Associations; and
WHEREAS, to administer; the grant Operation New View requires assistance
from the Housing & Community Development Department; and
WHEREAS, Operation New View is a City partner able to help meet the housing
needs of residence with the Tenant -Based Rental Assistance Program
WHEREAS, Operation New View will enter into a memorandum of understanding
agreeing to provide the Tenant Based Rental Assistance program to City of Dubuque
residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque .will provide referrals, Rent Reasonableness
Assessments, Inspections and a Utility Allowance calculation to Operation New View to
help assist those residents with housing; and
NOW T,WEREI ORF IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL CITY
. .....v .�, BE .■ ■� vv■..�a�v-v■ ■■■� v■� ■ OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA THAT:
Section 1. The Memorandum of Understanding is hereby approved.
Section 2. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute such
Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. The City Council grants the authority to the City Manager or the City
Manager's designee to manage the agreement and act in accordance with the terms of
the agreement.
Passed, approved and adopted this 16th day of March 2020.
,P/LI
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
KevirVS' Firnstahl,`City Clerk
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development
& Operation New View Community Action Agency
1. This MOU details a working partnership between the City of Dubuque's Housing and Community Development Authority
(City of Dubuque) and Operation New View Community Action Agency (ONV) regarding the execution of each party's
housing assistance efforts for City of Dubuque residents.
2. ONV's role with assisting City of Dubuque's housing assistance program(s) is as follows:
a. Provide City of Dubuque residents with financial assistance and supporting services at no cost through its Tenant Based
Rental Assistance (TBRA) program for a limited number of qualifying households whose needs the City's housing
programs are unable to meet in a timely manner.
i. TBRA is an Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) housing assistance program designed to assist households who are
income eligible to receive rental assistance for up to two (2) years.
1. IFA has authorized Iowa Community Action Association (ICAA) to disperse TBRA funds among the 17
community action agencies in the State of Iowa, including ONV.
2. All ONV's TBRA program compliance reviews will be conducted by either IFA or ICAA to ensure adherence
to all specified regulations, policies and procedures.
3. City of Dubuque's role with assisting ONV's TBRA program is as follows:
a. At its discretion and upon client approval, provide ONV at no cost with names and contact information of households
who have applied for Section 8 or other housing assistance, but are unable to be served in a timely manner by the City's
housing programs.
b. Provide ONV at no cost a Rent Reasonableness Assessment for requested ONV TBRA rental units before an initial
inspection is scheduled.
i. ONV staff will complete the City's Rent Reasonableness form and submit for processing along with a copy of the
Request for Unit Approval form.
ii. Supplemental Rent Reasonableness form(s) may be submitted in the event of a request for a change in the contracted
rent.
c. Conduct required HQS inspections at no cost for requested ONV TBRA rental units before any TBRA rental agreement
is executed.
i. ONV will provide City of Dubuque with landlord contact information to request an inspection be scheduled.
ii. City of Dubuque will provide ONV with date of scheduled inspection, and any updates as appropriate.
iii. City of Dubuque will provide written report of inspection results to ONV upon completion.
d. Provide accurate utility allowance information to ONV throughout the duration of the TBRA program.
4. ONV and the City of Dubuque will work in concert to mutually respect and maintain:
a. Positive professional relations with all landlords who lease property to participants in the program.
b. Full confidentiality of all participants' information and identity except as required by law.
This MOU shall be effective as of the date signed by both parties below and may be cancelled or amended upon thirty
(30) days written notice by either party.
City of Dubuque Operation New View
Housing and Community Development TBRA Program
350 West 6th St., Suite 312 1473 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 2001 Dubuque, IA 52001
Signature
Date
Signature Date
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Printed Name & Title Printed Name & Title