Subject:
Title
Resolution ratifying the County Administrator’s approval to submit a request for reallocated Emergency Rental Assistance funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and authorizing the Chairman and the County Administrator to take required actions for Pinellas County to receive additional reallocated Emergency Rental Assistance funds.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adoption of a resolution that will ratify, confirm, and enter into the minutes the approval by the County Administrator to submit a request for reallocated Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) funds to the U.S. Department of Treasury (US Treasury); and authorize the Chair or the County Administrator to take required actions for the County to receive additional reallocated ERA2 funds.
• Resolution ratifies the County Administrator’s approval to request reallocated ERA2 funds.
a.) Treasury issued reallocation guidance for ERA2 funds not expended by grantees.
b.) Notification of the availability to apply for reallocated funds was distributed on July 5, 2022, with a submittal deadline of Friday, July 22, 2022.
c.) As a grantee, the County met and exceeded the 50.0% expenditure ratio requirement to be eligible to request reallocated funds.
d.) When feasible, Treasury intends to reallocate excess funds from a grantee to another grantee within the same state.
e.) The amount of funding requested must be based on need and the grantees’ ability to spend the funds in August, September, October, and November 2022.
f.) The amount of funds requested is $2.1M based on the average monthly spending rate for the program for tenants in all areas of the County, outside of the City of St. Petersburg. The City submitted a separate request for reallocated funds.
• Resolution also authorizes the Chair or County Administrator to take necessary actions required to receive additional reallocated ERA2 funds.
a.) Authorization enables the Chair or the County Administrator to:
§ sign and submit applications, certifications, funding acceptance awards, or grant agreements, and amendments thereto, in an amount not to exceed $2.1M; and
§ execute agreements or amend existing agreements with existing vendors for administration of the ERA2 program; and
b.) Authorization enables the Housing and Community Development Department Director, or designee, to sign and file necessary reports, forms, and other administrative documents related to the administration and operation of the ERA2 Program.
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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.
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs.
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and
public outreach.
Summary:
Summary
Adopting the resolution ratifies the County Administrator’s approval to submit to the US Treasury a Request for Reallocated ERA2 funds in an amount of $2.1M. Due to the July 22, 2022, application deadline, the County Administrator authorized the submittal of an application to the US Treasury for reallocated ERA2 funds. The approval was performed through Legistar Item No. 22-0787D.
Adopting the resolution also authorizes the Chair, County Administrator and Housing and Community Development Department Director, or designee, to take necessary actions required to receive additional reallocated ERA2 funds.
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Background Information:
In the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress appropriated two (2) separate programs for the delivery of emergency rental assistance, utility assistance, and housing stability services to eligible households experiencing financial hardship during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The County received $21,421,281.80 of Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA1) program funds authorized by Section 501 of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260 (Dec. 27, 2020) and $24,395,835.40 of ERA2 program funds authorized by Section 3201(a) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117-2 (March 11, 2021).
In July 2022, Treasury issued a Notice of Funding Availability informing grantees of the ability to apply for reallocated funds. Due to the July 22, 2022, application deadline, the County Administrator authorized the submittal of a Request for Reallocated ERA2 funds to the Treasury for $2.1M of reallocated ERA2 funds. On July 21, 2022, the County submitted the Request for Reallocation to the Treasury.
The Pinellas program was closed to new applications on May 25, 2022. All ERA1 funds have been expended. Remaining ERA2 funds budgeted for rental assistance are estimated to be expended by the end of August 2022.
Fiscal Impact:
The requested additional Reallocated ERA2 program funds are up to $2.1M. If awarded, a budget resolution may be brought forward at a subsequent meeting to recognize and appropriate these funds in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) and Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Budgets.
Staff Member Responsible:
Carol Stricklin, Director, Housing and Community Development
Partners:
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Attachments:
Resolution