Subject:
Title
Coronavirus Relief Fund Subrecipient Agreement with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to receive housing assistance funds to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Subrecipient Agreement with Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) to receive housing assistance funds to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
• Pinellas County will receive $1,641,174.00 in the first round of FHFC CRF distributions for assistance to residents to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
• Eligible uses of FHFC CRF funds are:
a.) Rental assistance payments (including back rent, deposits and utility payments);
b.) Mortgage payments (including principal, interest, taxes, insurance and homeowner association fees) and buydowns;
c.) Emergency repair of housing;
d.) Assistance to homeowners to pay insurance deductibles;
e.) Housing re-entry assistance, such as security deposits, utility deposits, and temporary storage of household furnishings;
f.) Foreclosure or eviction prevention, including monthly rent and associated fees;
g.) Homeownership counseling; and
h.) Administrative expenses of up to 10% of allocation.
• FHFC CRF funds can serve eligible households with incomes below 120% of the area median income, adjusted for family size.
• The period of performance for this Agreement is March 1, 2020 - December 30, 2020.
• CRF funds must be expended by December 30, 2020.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest future Coronavirus Relief Fund Subrecipient Agreements with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and Sub-Grantee Agreements, and Amendments; and authorize the Housing and Community Development Department Director, or designee to sign and file necessary forms, reports, and other administrative documents.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
2.4 Support programs that seek to prevent and remedy the causes of homelessness and move individuals and families from homelessness to permanent housing
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in communities that need the most
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
The County will receive FHFC CRF funding to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Funds will be used to provide financial assistance for residents through rent and mortgage payments, utility assistance, housing re-entry assistance, emergency housing repairs, foreclosure or eviction prevention, and homeownership counseling. Up to 10% of awarded funds may be used for administration. Assistance will be provided to households with incomes at or below 120% of the area median income, adjusted for family size.
The term of the Agreement is through March 31, 2021. Funding must be expended by December 30, 2020. The period of performance for the Agreement is March 1, 2020 - December 30, 2020.
On July 28, 2020, FHFC provided a Technical Guidance on Coronavirus Relief Fund memo related to four (4) items in the CRF Subrecipient Agreement. The Technical Guidance on Coronavirus Relief Fund was provided to clarify items in the Subrecipient Agreement in lieu of amending the Agreement.
Notice of funding availability for CRF funds will be advertised, at a minimum, ten (10) days prior to the beginning of an application period.
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Background Information:
The State of Florida was awarded funds pursuant to, section 601(d) of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, div. A, Title V (Mar. 27, 2020). The State, through FHFC, has awarded funding to eligible local governments to be used to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Florida residents.
It may be necessary to enter into a Subgrantee Agreement with qualified agencies to allow for eligible activities to be contractually delegated and specify the obligation of the agencies receiving funds in meeting Federal, State and County requirements.
Fiscal Impact:
Pinellas County will receive $1,641,174.00 in FHFC CRF funds. This allocation is consistent with the FY21 Proposed Tentative Budget. An additional allocation may be available in September or October based on reemployment data and successful spending.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Interim Director, Housing and Community Development
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Coronavirus Relief Fund Subrecipient Agreement
Technical Guidance on Coronavirus Relief Fund Memo dated July 28, 2020