City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 11/22/2010 Item Number: C-3
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Approval of the Submission of the Family Self
Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator Grant to the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Contact Person/Dept.: Tevis Barnes,
Mona Kennedy
Community Development
Department/Housing Division
Phone Number: (310) 253-5782
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (11/17/10); St. Joseph’s Center
(11/17/10)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (11/11/10)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (11/16/10)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (11/16/10)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (11/17/10)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the submission of the Family Self
Sufficiency Program Grant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
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 Agencies/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. Using housing as a stabilizing force, the FSS Program
connects families to needed supportive services, such as educational and vocational
training, transportation and childcare and other identified support services to enable
the participants to focus on activities and experiences that enhance the participant’s
ability to succeed in the workplace. Additionally, the FSS Program 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 the position for a Family Self
Sufficiency Coordinator, which oversees the case management and supportive
services coordination for FSS Program participants. Without a significant increase in
training, education, employment and support services, the socio-economic status of
low-income households is expected to remain the same or decline. Understanding
these economic and social realities, the Culver City Housing Agency (CCHA) is
committed to providing programs and progressive options for empowering and
improving the lives of those we serve. Based on this premise, the CCHA
recommends the submission of the FSS Coordinator Grant application for
$66,214.00 to HUD to support the efforts of the FSS program.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 allows funding for program
coordinators under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) FSS program
under Section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. 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.
A funding maximum of $69,000 is available for each full-time FSS coordinator
position. Salaries are based on local comparables. Additionally, there is a limitation
on Renewal Funding Increases. For renewal coordinator positions, PHAs will be
limited to a one percent (1%) increase above the amount of the most recent award
for the position. Culver City was granted $65,558 in 2009, which allows for a
maximum grant application for $66,214.
Submission of the grant requires information on FSS program status and
accomplishments as well as the funding amount requested. The application also
includes a “logic model” which projects program goals and services for the coming
year. Additionally, the CCHA will submit a narrative outlining current program status
and recruitment efforts and a narrative expressing the CCHA’s mission to
affirmatively further fair housing.
It is anticipated that award announcements will take place in January or February
2011. Successful applicants will receive an award letter from HUD. Funding will be
provided to successful applicants as an amendment to the Section 8 Annual
Contribution Contract (ACC) of the applicant PHA. Unsuccessful applicants will
receive a notification of rejection letter from the GMC that will state the basis for the
decision.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Status- Culver City FSS Program
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
Since 1999, the CCHA has applied for and been awarded funding by HUD for the
FSS program. These awards have approximately totaled over $522,000. For
Calendar Year (CY) 2008 the CCHA was awarded $64,909 and for CY 2009 the
CCHA was awarded $65,558. Please note that since 2005, HUD no longer
functions under a Fiscal Year, but a Calendar Year.
Through the submission of this grant to HUD, the CCHA hopes to be awarded
approximately $66,214.00 for 2010 (which reflects the HUD allowed one percent
increase over the previous year’s award). This amount covers one (1) full time
position as an FSS Coordinator. On June 28, 2010 the City Council approved a
contract with St. Joseph’s Center (SJC) to function as the FSS Coordinator for the
Culver City program. If awarded, the 2010 FSS grant will be earmarked to support
the continuation of the contract with SJC.
Continuation of the FSS Coordinator position is contingent upon receipt of these
funds. While it is not anticipated the City would not be successful in obtaining this
year’s grant allocation, in the case the City does not receive the grant, staff would
return to the City Council with recommendations for the City Council’s consideration.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
If awarded by HUD, the CCHA will secure $66,214.00 in funding to support one (1)
full time position to administer the FSS Program through St. Joseph’s Center.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Family Self Sufficiency Grant
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
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 City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
MEETING DATE: November 22, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of the Submission of the Family Self
Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator Grant to the
United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD).
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. FSS Grant 1-21 123456789101112131415161718192021