Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinators FundingMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Funding for the Three Family Self Sufficiency Coordinators
DATE: December 10, 2013
Dubuque
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AI- America City
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2007 • 2012 • 2013
Housing and Community Development Director Alvin Nash recommends City Council
approval of an additional $104,500 in Fiscal Year 2014 funding to continue employment
of the three Family Self- Sufficiency Program Coordinators.
Many families participating in Family Self- Sufficiency (FSS) have achieved stable
employment which has made it possible for them to become homeowners or move to
other non - assisted housing. This satisfies both HUD's strategic goal and City Council
goals of utilizing housing as a platform for improving quality of life by helping HUD -
assisted renters increase economic security and self- sufficiency. In Fiscal Year 2013,
153 families participated in the FSS Program. Families enter into five -year contracts
listing their goals and objectives. To qualify for three full -time positions in future grants,
the FSS program must maintain a minimum participation of 125 families. HUD
regulations require the City of Dubuque to continue to service all outstanding contracts
even if not HUD funded. This year HUD has capped the Housing Choice Voucher FSS
Coordinator grant to one position; however, the application is dependent upon a
resolution of any outstanding civil rights matters that must be completed prior to the
application deadline of October 7, 2013. The Voluntary Compliance Agreement has not
yet been executed, so it is unclear if HUD will allow the current application to move
forward. It is hoped that the delay in negotiations caused by the federal government
shutdown will be considered as a mitigating factor.
There are no statutory or regulatory provisions that allow for termination of any existing
FSS contracts. Loss of funding for the FSS Coordinator position does not relieve the
City of its contractual obligation to families already under FSS Contract. FSS
Coordinator duties not only include making low- and very low- income participants aware
of training and employment opportunities, but also affirmatively further Fair Housing by
ensuring that each participant receives training and information on rights and remedies
available under the federal, state and local fair housing and civil rights laws. The FSS
Program Coordinators have the responsibility to outreach to persons with disabilities,
persons with limited English proficiency, and all minority groups who are Housing
Choice Voucher program participants. Due to the relationship building between
Coordinators and participants, the Coordinators help achieve having safe, healthy
neighborhoods while increasing a viable workforce with increased services to
participants. Partnering for a Better Dubuque is at the heart of the program along with
Economic Prosperity.
The cost of the FSS Coordinators from January 1, 2014 (when the HUD grant runs out)
through June 30, 2014, is approximately $104,500. Budget Director Jennifer Larson
has identified funds as a result of the delay of the affordable health care act until
January 1, 2015, created savings of $110,404 in Fiscal Year 2014. She recommends
using the Fiscal Year 2014 savings from delaying the affordable health care act to fund
the FSS Coordinators for the last six months of the fiscal year.
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
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Alvin L. Nash, Housing and Community Development Director
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
To: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
From: Alvin L. Nash, Housing and Community Development Director
Re: Funding for the three Family Self Sufficiency Coordinators
Date: December 9, 2013
Dubuque
AI- AmericaCity
1 ,
2007 • 2012 •2013
The purpose of this memorandum is to request additional Fiscal Year 2014 funding to
continue employment of the three Family Self- Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinators
at the Housing Department.
The purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) FSS program is to promote the
development of local strategies to coordinate the use of assistance under the HCV
program with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase
earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare
assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self- sufficiency.
A coordinator ensures that program participants are linked to the supportive services
they need to achieve self- sufficiency. In addition to working directly with families, the
Coordinator is responsible for building partnerships with employers and service
providers in the community to help participants obtain jobs and services. Coordinators
must ensure that the services included in contracts of participation of program
participants are provided on a regular, ongoing and satisfactory basis, that participants
are fulfilling their responsibilities under the contracts and that FSS escrow accounts are
established and properly maintained for eligible families. By having a Coordinator
whose primary responsibility is to guide and connect participants to needed training and
resources, FSS participants gain access to the support they need in order to achieve
their self- sufficiency goals and move up the economic ladder.
Many families participating in FSS have achieved stable employment which has made it
possible for them to become homeowners or move to other non - assisted housing. This
satisfies both HUD's strategic goal and City Council goals of utilizing housing as a
platform for improving quality of life by helping HUD - assisted renters increase economic
security and self- sufficiency. In FYE 2013 153 families participated in the FSS
Program. Families enter into five -year contracts listing their goals and objectives. To
qualify for three full -time positions in future grants, the FSS program must maintain a
minimum participation of 125 families. HUD regulations require the City of Dubuque to
continue to service all outstanding contracts even if not HUD funded. This year HUD
has capped the HCV FSS Coordinator grant to one position; however, the application is
dependent upon a resolution of any outstanding civil rights matters that must be
completed prior to the application deadline of October 7, 2013.
There are no statutory or regulatory provisions that allow for termination of any existing
FSS contracts. Loss of funding for the FSS Coordinator position does not relieve the
City of its contractual obligation to families already under FSS Contract. FSS
Coordinator duties not only include making low- and very low- income participants aware
of training and employment opportunities, but also affirmatively further Fair Housing by
ensuring that each participant receives training and information on rights and remedies
available under the federal, state and local fair housing and civil rights laws. The FSS
program Coordinators have the responsibility to outreach to persons with disabilities,
persons with limited English proficiency, and all minority groups who are HCV program
participants. Due to the relationship building between Coordinators and participants,
the Coordinators help achieve having safe, healthy neighborhoods while increasing a
viable workforce with increased services to participants. Partnering for a Better
Dubuque is at the heart of the program along with Economic Prosperity.
The FSS Program increases social and cultural vibrancy by increasing the mutual
understanding, knowledge and acceptance of others while being inclusive to all HCV
program participants. This request encompasses City Goals of Planned & Managed
Growth, Partnering for a Better Dubuque, Economic Prosperity and Social /Cultural
Vibrancy.
The cost of the FSS Coordinators from January 1, 2014 (when the HUD grant runs out)
thru June 30, 2014 is approximately $104,500. Budget Director, Jennifer Larson has
identified funds as a result of the delay of the affordable health care act until January 1,
2015 created savings of $110,404 in FY 2014. She recommends using the FY14
savings from delaying the affordable health care act to fund the FSS Coordinators for
the last six months of the fiscal year.
The request for your consideration is for additional General Fund support for the three
FSS Coordinator positions in FY2015 in the amount of $104,500.
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