Subject:
Title
Community Development Block Grant Program Subaward Subrecipient Agreement with Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. d/b/a Homeless Empowerment Program, Inc. for emergency shelter operating expenses.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Subaward Subrecipient Agreement (CDBG Agreement) with Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. d/b/a Homeless Empowerment Program, Inc. (HEP) for emergency shelter operating expenses.
• This Agreement provides CDBG funding, not to exceed $43,000.00, for operating expenses including salaries and fringe benefits for a Housing Navigator and program materials including hygiene items, linens, and sanitation materials.
• The Housing Navigator at the HEP Adult Emergency Shelter, located at 1200 North Betty Lane, Clearwater, FL 33755, is responsible for housing identification, landlord engagement, lease coordination, and discharge planning to reduce length of stay and increase exits to permanent housing, benefitting approximately 400 homeless persons.
• The CDBG Agreement is effective for one (1) year, from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
• The County received $2,726,214.16 in CDBG funds to improve neighborhoods, provide decent housing, and create new economic opportunities, with a special focus on serving low- and moderate-income persons.
• Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a) (1) and Resolution No. 26-42.
• Funding for this Agreement is included in the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Proposed Budget for the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department in the Community Development (CD) Grant Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval of the annual County Budget.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
At the June 16, 2026, Board of County Commissioners (Board) meeting, the Board approved agenda item #7, (Granicus #26-0817A), Resolution No. 26-42, approving the FY27 Annual Action Plan. Included as an attachment in the approved Action Plan is the FY27 Funding Recommendations table, which identifies each specific project, subrecipient, and funding award amount.
One of the projects to be carried out under the County’s Annual Action Plan for FY27 is funding of Homeless Empowerment Program for emergency shelter operating expenses. This Agreement will provide funding for operating expenses including program delivery salaries and fringe benefits for a Housing Navigator and program materials including hygiene items, linens, and sanitation materials, benefitting approximately 400 homeless persons.
The Agreement is effective for one (1)-year, from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
Background/Explanation:
In accordance with the adopted Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, it is necessary to enter into an Agreement with qualified agencies to allow for certain activities stated in the Annual Action Plan to be contractually delegated and specify the obligation of the agencies receiving funds in meeting Federal, State and County requirements.
The County received $2,726,214.16 in CDBG funding for FY27. Funding is to be used to improve neighborhoods, provide decent housing, and create new economic opportunities, with a special focus on serving low- and moderate-income persons.
The CDBG and ESG Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and application cycle was advertised in the Tampa Bay Times, La Gaceta and Tre Magazine, posted on the Community Development website, and emailed to nonprofit agencies and local municipalities.
The competitive application process began on January 23, 2026, with applications being due February 27, 2026. Applications were reviewed for funding eligibility and scored by Community Development Division staff. Funding recommendations are based on staff ranking of eligible activities and eligible expenses.
Fiscal Impact:
The total amount of funding for this agreement is not to exceed $43,000.00 during the term of the Agreement. Funding for this agreement is included in the FY27 Proposed Budget for the HCD Department in the CD Grant Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval of the annual County Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a) (1) and Resolution No. 26-42.
Staff Member Responsible:
Gregg Mims, Director, Housing and Community Development
Bruce Bussey, Community Development Manager
Partners:
Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. d/b/a Homeless Empowerment Program, Inc.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Attachments:
Community Development Block Grant Program Subaward Subrecipient Agreement
Project Location Map
2026-2027 CDBG and ESG Funding Recommendations
Resolution No. 26-42