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Title:
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(1) Approval of the Submission of the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator Grant to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and (2) Authorize the Elimination of 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: 07/13/2015 Item Number: C-2
HOUSING AUTHORITY AGENDA ITEM: (1) Approval of the Submission of the
Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator Grant to the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and (2) Authorize the
Elimination of 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:
Master Notification List :
St. Joseph’s Center:
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (07/07/15)
Authority General Counsel:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (07/07/15)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (07/07/15)
Executive Director Approval:
John M. Nachbar (07/07/15)
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 elimination of 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 (Act) of 1990, 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 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, the FSS Program carries a financial incentive in the form of the City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
establishment of an escrow account which the family receives upon their graduation
from the program.
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 the FSS program.
The Housing Authority has been successfully awarded this grant since 1999. In the
event that the grant is not awarded, staff will work with HUD to use the Section 8
Reserve Funds to support this position. If alternative funding cannot be obtained, as
in prior years, the FSS Program Coordinator contract would be eliminated.
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 2015, 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, 2015.
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, 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 to 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.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Status-Culver City FSS Program
? There are currently twenty-one (21) households enrolled in the FSS program.
? A total of eighteen (18) have graduated from the FSS program.
? A total of approximately $135,483.00 has been distributed in FSS escrow accounts.
? A total of sixty (60) households have participated since 1999.
The FSS Coordinator currently outreaches by sending 7-10 flyers a month and
follows up by contacting potential clients via telephone. Approximately one (1)
person per month responds, attends an individual orientation and enrolls in the
program. The FSS Coordinator also works with Housing Division Staff for specific
referrals of clients that may be eligible.
Since 1999, the CCHA has applied for and been awarded funding by HUD for the
FSS program. These funds have totaled approximately $751,414.00. In 2014 the
CCHA was awarded $65,662.00.
Through the submission of this grant 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
for the Culver City program. If awarded, the 2015 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,
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
3. Authorize the Executive Director to execute such documents on behalf of the
Authority; and,
4. Authorize the elimination of the Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator
position (a contract position) in the event the grant funding is lost or
terminated at any time.