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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPre-LegislationCity of Miami ;f Legislation Resolution: R-21-0065 File Number: 8549 City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov.com Final Action Date: 2/11/2021 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT OF $14,130,464.60 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF SUCH FUNDS AS DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT "A," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS SPECIFIED IN EXHIBIT "B," ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED; FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ANY AND ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, ALL IN FORMS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, FOR SAID PURPOSE, SUBJECT TO ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS THAT REGULATE THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS. SPONSOR(S): Mayor Francis X. Suarez, Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Ken Russell, Commissioner Joe Carollo, Commissioner Manolo Reyes, Commissioner Jeffrey Watson WHEREAS, on December 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed a $2.3 trillion omnibus spending and Novel Coronavirus ("COVID-19") relief bill ("Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021") into law, which included an amount of $25 billion that was allocated to the United States Department of the Treasury ("Treasury") for distribution to states and units of local governments with populations exceeding 200,000; and WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, the City of Miami ("City") applied for the funds from the Treasury and was awarded an amount of $14,130,464.60, which is to be committed by September 30, 2021 and fully expended by December 31, 2021 ("Funds"); and WHEREAS, the City has established an Emergency Rental Assistance Program as specified in Exhibit "B," attached and incorporated, for the use of the Funds; and WHEREAS, the City's Administration recommends the acceptance of the Funds from the Treasury, the allocation of the Funds as described in Exhibit "A," attached and incorporated, and the establishment of an Emergency Rental Assistance Program as specified in Exhibit "B," attached and incorporated; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The Funds from the Treasury are accepted. City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 8549 (Revision:) Printed On: 3/8/2021 File ID: 8549 Enactment Number: R-21-0065 Section 3. The allocation of the Funds as described in Exhibit "A," attached and incorporated, is authorized.' Section 4. The establishment of an Emergency Rental Assistance Program as specified in Exhibit "B," attached and incorporated, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is authorized.' Section 5. The City Manager is authorized' to negotiate and execute any and all necessary documents, all in forms acceptable to the City Attorney, for said purpose, subject to all federal, state, and local laws that regulate the use of such funds. Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor .2 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: Barnaby L. Min, Deputy City Attorney 2/2/2021 ' The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all legal requirements that may be imposed, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code provisions. 2 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission. City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 8549 (Revision:) Printed on: 31812021 CITY OF MIAMI EXHIBIT "A" DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT U.S. Department of the Treasury funds Emergency Rental Assistance Program Allocation DEPARTMENT/AGENCIES DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES FUNDED AMOUNT Department of Housing & Administration $1,113,046.46 Community Development Department of Housing & Community Development Rental and Utility Payments $12,717,418.14 Sunshine for All, Inc. Emergency Rental Assistance $100,000.00 Implementation Neighborhood Housing Services Emergency Rental Assistance $100,000.00 of South Florida Implementation Legal Services of Greater Miami, Housing Stabilization $100,000.00 Inc. Total ERA Program Allocation $14,130,464.60 EXHIBIT "B" CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Program Description: The Emergency Rental Assistance ("ERA") program was established by section 501 of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116- 260 (Dec. 27, 2020) (the "Act") to provide rental and utility relief to residents who has negatively been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Source of Funding: US Department of the Treasury Amount to be provided: 1. 12 months of rent and utilities to include up to 3 months of prospective rent. 2. Maximum amount per household cannot exceed $24,000. Eligibility 1. Applicant must be City of Miami resident 2. At least one or more individuals of the household must meet the following criteria: Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; ii. Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and iii. Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median. Priority The following households will be given priority as per statute: 1. Households that include an individual who has been unemployed for 90 days or more prior to application for assistance. 2. Households with income at or below 50 percent of the area median Application Funds can be applied by: 1. An eligible household 2. A landlord on behalf of an eligible household Page 1 of 2 Required Documents: • State of Florida issued photo ID for all adult household members (age 18 and up) • Proof that a member of the applicant household lost his/her job or had a reduction in income after March 1, 2020. • Copy of current, executed lease agreement (signed by landlord and renter) • Proof of household income for all adult household members: o Pay -stubs o Unemployment benefits o Profit and loss statement for self-employed o Affidavit of no -income for those without any income o Social Security award statement • Copies of Utility Bill (water, electricity, gas etc) if payment is required. Application Process 1. Applications for the ERA can be submitted through the following: a. Online b. Paper application 2. Irrespective of the method of application, applicants will be required to submit complete documents online, by mail or through the department's drop box before the application will be processed. 3. Applications will be processed on first come, first ready, first serve. Payments All funds will be paid directly to the landlord and/or utility company except in cases where the landlord or utility company is unwilling to participate in the program in which case the payment can be made directly to the tenant as per regulations. Page 2 of 2