Title
Resolution Approving Participation in and Appropriation of the 2016-2017 Virginia Homelessness Solution Program (VHSP) Grant in the amount of $1,039,438 through the Department of Housing and Community Development
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Hampton Department of Human Services - Social Services (DHS-SS) serves as the lead agency for the Greater Virginia Peninsula Homelessness Consortium (GVPHC) and the fiscal agent for the Virginia Peninsula Collaborative (VPC). The VPC is a united effort between seven service provider agencies including the DHS-SS to provide shelter operations, rapid re-housing, prevention, coordinated/central intake and Continuum of Care (COC) planning across the region. The VPC remains committed to ensuring the ease and accessibility of services for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness across the COC’s geographical area which includes: Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, James City County, York County and Poquoson. The partnerships that make up the VPC exist between DHS-SS, James City County Office of Housing and Community Development (JCC OHCD), Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board (HNNCSB), the Salvation Army Peninsula, Menchville House, LINK and Transitions along with a host of GVPHC member agencies throughout the community. Emulated after the GVPHC’s successful collaborative efforts and administration of Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) funds, the DHS-SS will be the grantee and will initiate Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between all identified partners to ensure clarity and accountability. Partners will continue to meet monthly to discuss grant administration, system delivery and leveraging of funds.
Discussion:
This grant award is the second regional application submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in which DHS-SS accepted the role of lead agency and fiscal agent. In the initial application (2014 to 2016) the VPC was ranked in tier two of a three tier system. With the current submission the GVPHC saw significant improvement and is now in tier 1(highest) and is ranked as number three out of twenty-eight COCs in the state of Virginia. The GVPHC saw a 21 point improvement in score. The GVPHC has embraced the concept of low barrier housing first programs. It is considered a model COC for service delivery. The GVPHC has expanded its membership to 35 different agencies all working as partners to prevent homelessness and rapid re-housing those that are homeless. Our goal is to make homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring.
Impact:
Provide housing and stabilization services to the following;
Emergency Shelter - 350 Households
Seasonal Shelter - 475 households
Rapid Re-housing - 200 Households
Rapid Re-housing veterans - 50 Households
Prevention - 190 Households
Centralized/Coordinated Assessment 3,000 calls
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
body
WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded a 2016-2017 Virginia Homelessness Solution Program Grant in the amount of $1,039,438 to the City of Hampton's Department of Human Services - Social Services;
WHEREAS, the fiscal year 2017 Virginia Homelessness Solution Program Grant is a multi-year grant with fiscal year 2017 being the first year;
WHEREAS, this program will provide housing, housing stabilization and case management services to the citizens of the Greater Virginia Peninsula; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton will not be responsible for providing any funding or an in-kind match.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia accepts and appropriates the grant funding in the amount of $1,039,438 and, any supplemental funding, and accepts and approves all grant partners and associated memorandums of understanding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.