HomeMy WebLinkAboutcover memoCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
(a)
Ina
TO :
FROM:
The Honorable Mayor and
Members of amity Co j ipission
l�•
C
rriola
Manager
DATE : FEB 13 2004
SUBJECT:
FILE :
Allocation of 30th Year
Emergency Shelter Grant Funds
REFERENCES : City Commission Agenda
March 11, 2004
ENCLOSURES:
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Commission adopt the attached Resolution allocating $370,622
of Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds by specifically allocating
$359,503 to the City of Miami Homeless Program and $11,119 to the Department of Community
Development for the administration of grant related activities; and further directing the City
Manager to submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
to increase the percentage of Emergency Shelter Grant funds that can be used for direct services.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Miami has received notification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (U.S. HUD) that the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) entitlement for the Program
Year beginning October 1, 2004 and ending September 30, 2005 will be $370,622.
Historically, the City Commission has allocated its non -administrative ESG funds to support the
operation of the City of Miami Homeless Program, which provides outreach and referral services
to the chronic homeless. It is recommended that the $359,503 of ESG funds available for
distribution be allocated to eligible grant activities provided by the City of Miami Homeless
Program.
In addition, federal regulations authorize 3% of the grant to be utilized for administrative costs to
manage grant related activities. The Administration's recommendation includes the allocation of
$11,119 to the Department of Community Development for this purpose.
The program guidelines of the Emergency Shelter Grant Program limit the amount of funds that
can be directed for direct services to 30% of the entitlement grant allocation. However, as a
result of the local sales tax dedicated to homeless programs, the need for shelter care is met
through this source and the need in South Florida is to provide support services to complement
services needed through the continuum of care strategy.
The City of Miami will face a similar situation in the next Program Year beginning October 1,
2004 and there will be a need again to request the U.S. HUD waiver to enable the City of Miami
Homeless Program to operate as an outreach and referral program to the chronic homeless.
Therefore, in recognition that there will be an on -going need to target available homeless funds
to provide direct services, it is further recommended that the City Manager be directed to submit
a multi -year waiver letter to U.S. HUD to increase the 30% direct services cap.
Emergency Shelter Grant Activity Amount
City of Miami Homeless Program $ 359,503
Dept. of Community Development /
Grant Administration 11,119
Total ESG Program Funds $ 370,622
It is recommended that the City Commission adopt the attached Resolution allocating $370,622
of Fiscal Year 2004-2005 ESG funds by specifically allocating $359,503 to the City of Miami
Homeless Program and $11,119 to the Department of Community Development for the
Administration of grant related activities; and further directing the City Manager to submit a
waiver request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to increase the
percentage of Emergency Shelter Grant funds that can be used for direct services.
Funds provided for this purpose are available from the Emergency Shelter Grant and
there is no budgetary impact on the General Fund.
LMH/BGR