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Title:
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Approval of the Submission of the Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator Grant Application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) Authorization to the Executive Director to Eliminate the Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator Position (a Contract Position) in the Event Grant Funding is Lost or Terminated.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 05/27/2014 Item Number: C-2
HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEM: Approval of the Submission of the Family
Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator Grant Application to the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) Authorization to the
Executive Director to Eliminate the Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator
Position (a Contract Position) in the Event Grant Funding is Lost or Terminated.
Contact Person/Dept.: Tevis Barnes,
Mona Kennedy
Community Development
Department/Housing Authority
Phone Number: (310) 253-5782
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – Housing Authority (05/21/14);
St. Joseph’s Center
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (05/15/14)
Housing Authority General Counsel:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/20/14)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (05/21/14)
Executive Director Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/21/14)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Housing Authority Board (1) approve the submission of the
Family Self Sufficiency Program Grant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development; and (2) authorize the Executive Director to eliminate the Family Self
Sufficiency Program Coordinator position (a contract position) in the event the grant
funding is lost or terminated.
BACKGROUND:
Family Self Sufficiency Program
The Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (Act), Section 554,
enacted the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program which is implemented by the U. S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This act set forth a new
direction for public housing authorities across the country.
FSS is a voluntary program designed to enable families receiving Section 8 Housing
Choice Voucher Program (HCV) rental assistance to become economically independent
from all forms of public assistance within a five (5) year time frame. As part of the goal
of achieving economic independence, FSS carries a financial incentive in the form of
the establishment of an escrow account which the family receives upon their graduation
from the program. City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator Grant
The purpose of this grant application is to fund a FSS Program Coordinator, who
oversees the case management and supportive services coordination for FSS Program
participants. The Culver City Housing Authority (CCHA) is committed to providing
programs and progressive options for empowering and improving the lives of those we
serve. Based on this premise, staff recommends the Authority Board approve
submission of the FSS Coordinator Grant application for $69,000.00 to HUD to support
the efforts of FSS.
Through the annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), HUD provides funding to
public housing agencies (PHAs) that are operating Section 8 HCV FSS programs to
enable those PHAs to employ program coordinators to support their Section 8 HCV FSS
programs. For 2013, this NOFA announces the availability of approximately $75 million
nationwide. A funding maximum of $69,000 is available for each full-time FSS
coordinator position.
It is anticipated that award announcements will take place by September 30, 2014.
Successful applicants will receive an award letter from HUD.
Responsibilities of FSS Coordinator
The FSS Program Coordinator is responsible for the following activities:
• Conducting intake interviews.
• Assessing the skills, abilities, needs, and resources of families.
• Identifying realistic goals and developing tasks and milestones to accomplish
goals.
• Identifying and coordinating resources and services needed by the family.
• Monitoring and documenting the family’s progress toward goals in the client’s
contract.
• Coordinating/conducting recruitment of FSS participants
• Organizing economic-enrichment seminars such as preparing for
homeownership, consumer credit counseling, and job interview skills.
• Conducting a survey to determine the program success.
Status-Culver City FSS Program
• There are currently twenty (20) households enrolled in the FSS Program.
• A total of sixteen (16) have graduated from the FSS program.
• A total of approximately $116,000 has been distributed in FSS escrow accounts.
• A total of fifty-seven (57) households have participated since 1999.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Since 1999, the CCHA has applied for and been awarded funding by HUD for the FSS
program. These funds have totaled approximately $686,314.00. In 2013, the CCHA
was awarded $65,100.00.
Through the submission of this grant application to HUD, the CCHA hopes to be
awarded approximately $69,000.00 for 2014 FSS activities. This amount covers one (1)
full time position as an FSS Coordinator. On May 28, 2013 the Authority Board
approved a 3 year contract with St. Joseph’s Center (SJC) to function as the FSS
Coordinator. If awarded, the 2014 FSS grant will be earmarked to support the
continuation of the contract with SJC upon Authority Board approval.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
If awarded by HUD, the CCHA will secure $69,000.00 in funding to support one (1) full
time position to administer the FSS Program.
ATTACHMENT:
None.
MOTION:
That the Housing Authority Board:
1. Approve the submission of the Family Self Sufficiency Program Grant to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development; and,
2. Authorize the Authority General Counsel to review/prepare the necessary
documents; and,
3. Authorize the Executive Director to execute such documents on behalf of the
Authority; and,
4. Authorize the Executive Director to eliminate the Family Self Sufficiency Program
Coordinator position (a contract position) in the event the grant funding is lost or
terminated at any time.