Shelter Plus Care Program Funding RequestMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Funding Assistance for Shelter Plus Care Program
DATE: November 3, 2011
Dubuque
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Shelter + Care is a program designed to provide housing and supportive services on a
Tong -term basis for homeless persons with disabilities (chronic mental illness, alcohol
and substance abuse, and AIDS), who are living in places not intended for human
habitation or in emergency shelters.
A renewal application was submitted in September, as approved by Council. This will
renew the program for one year beginning in July 2012. As Project Concern had at that
time notified us of intent to withdraw its participation, Housing staff contacted area
agencies in search of a replacement sponsor. In response, Catholic Charities has
expressed serious interest but has been unable to locate sufficient funds to cover the
full costs of a new caseworker position to handle all sponsor responsibilities.
The City has been requested to contribute $10,000 annually toward the estimated
$60,000 cost for staffing. With that support, Catholic Charities would plan to assume
sponsor duties beginning the first of the calendar year, meaning $5,000 would be
needed to support the position through the balance of Fiscal Year 2012. Full -year
funding assistance of $10,000 for Fiscal Year 2013 and years beyond would be
requested through our normal budget process. Catholic Charities would continue to
research other funding opportunities, through sources such as the Community
Foundation of Greater Dubuque and United Way.
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris recommends
City Council approval to provide $5,000 in support of continued administration of the
Shelter Plus Care Program through the balance of Fiscal Year 2012. Full -year funding
assistance of $10,000 for Fiscal Year 2013 and years beyond will be requested through
the normal budget process.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Developmet Department Director
2
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
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111 LI
2007
TO: Michael Van illigen, City Manager
FROM: David rris, Housing and Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Funding Assistance for Shelter Plus Care Program
DATE: 20 October 2011
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request funding assistance from the City Council
in support of the Shelter + Care Program.
Background
Shelter + Care is a program designed to provide housing and supportive services on a
long -term basis for homeless persons with disabilities (chronic mental illness, alcohol
and substance abuse, and AIDS), who are living in places not intended for human
habitation or in emergency shelters.
The Housing Department applied in partnership with Project Concern in 2006 and
received a 5 -year HUD grant award of $536 520. The funds are used to pay rents in
behalf of qualifying persons, to private landlords. The Housing Department serves as
administrator and fiscal agent for the grant; Project Concern, as program sponsor,
works directly with participants to locate suitable housing, leases the rental units and
assures delivery of required supportive services through a referral network of local
provider agencies. The program has been known as the Phoenix Housing Program.
Discussion
A renewal application was submitted in September, as approved by Council. This will
renew the program for one year beginning in July 2012. As Project Concern had at that
time notified us of intent to withdraw its participation, Housing staff contacted area
agencies in search of a replacement sponsor. In response, Catholic Charities has
expressed serious interest but has been unable to locate sufficient funds to cover the
full costs of a new caseworker position to handle all sponsor responsibilities.
The City has been requested to contribute $10 000 annually toward the estimated
$60 000 cost for staffing. With that support, Catholic Charities would.plan to assume
sponsor duties beginning the first of the calendar year, meaning $5000 would be
needed to support the position through the balance of Fiscal Year 2012. Full -year
funding assistance of $10 000 for FY 2013 and years beyond would be requested
through our normal budget process. Catholic Charities would continue to research
other funding opportunities, through sources such as the Community Foundation of
Greater Dubuque and United Way.
Recommendation
The Shelter + Care program provides a needed service in Dubuque's Continuum of
Care assistance to homeless persons and families. Housing chronically mentally ill,
homeless persons in safe and secure housing — and providing continuous supportive
services to maintain coping skills and work toward employment placement -- helps to
keep participants from relapse, incarceration and institutionalization. Having Catholic
Charities as a partner, with commitment of full -time staff, will enhance our opportunities
for successful outcomes.
Action Step
The action requested of the City Council is to approve $5000 in support of continued
administration of the Shelter Plus Care Program.
cc:
Jenny Larson