Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate Continuum of Care Planning Project Grant Awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The Greater Virginia Peninsula Homelessness Consortium (GVPHC) serves as the local Continuum of Care (CoC) and as such has the ability to apply for Federal and State grants. Grant funding is received for the Greater Virginia Peninsula region. This region includes the cities of Hampton (Lead Agency), Newport News, Williamsburg, Poquoson and the counties of York and James City. The region is labeled as VA505. Grants are used for the sole purpose of ending homelessness in the region. This specific grant is designed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for regional planning activities and data collection that supports the reduction of homelessness.
Discussion:
Through grant funding from Federal and State governments and from localities, the regional body known as the GVPHC/VA505 has reduced overall homelessness by 42% and was instrumental in ending chronic homelessness in Virginia. Those found unsheltered, i.e., living on the streets, in cars, or other places not meant for human habitation, also decreased significantly - 59% since 2017.
This grant impacts the Federal Strategic Plan to reduce/end homelessness and is also directly related to the regional ten year plan to end homelessness. The regional CoC has adopted the vision that homelessness will be rare, brief, and non-recurring. This planning grant allows the GVPHC to gather data and provides guidance in determining how to proceed as a system to meet the above-stated goals. The most recent data gathered (GVPHC 2022 Annual Report) shows a decrease by 23% in the number of persons becoming homeless for the first time and an increase in veteran's homelessness by 100%. Following national trends, the majority of homeless persons were male, single individuals, over age 25, and sheltered.
The GVPHC's System Performance Measures over the past 5 years (2017 - 2021) shows: the average length of time persons remain homeless has increased from 92 to 136 days; the number of homeless has decreased from 512 to 322; and the number of people who become homeless for the first time has decreased from 1,148 to 874.
Impact:
As a regional body, matching funds for grants are leveraged from other localities. No matching funds are required from the City of Hampton for this grant. The City will not incur any financial burden related to this grant request. The total grant amount is $57,044.
Recommendation:
Approve and appropriate funds.
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a Continuum of Care Planning Project Grant in the amount of $57,044, with no local match required; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia accepts and appropriates the Continuum of Care Planning Project Grant in the amount of $57,004, with no local match required, for a total amount of $57,044, and any related supplemental funding by HUD in accordance with the grant agreement.
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.