Agenda Item Name:
Title
Emergency Rental Assistance Program 1 Reallocated Funds-Round 2 Award
End
Presenter:
Claudia Tuck
352-231-0058
Description:
ERA-1 Reallocated Funds-Round 2 in the amount of $693,559.93, unanticipated revenue for ERA-1 refunds of prior year payments in the amount of $124,632.64, and contract amendment to Carr, Riggs, and Ingram.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Accept the ERA-1 Reallocated Funds-Round 2 award and the unanticipated revenue for ERA-1 refunds of prior year payments, approve budget resolution and attached budget amendment, and approve the Carr, Riggs, and Ingram contract amendment. Authorize the County Manager to accept ERA-1 refunds for reallocation within 10% of the total award.
End
Prior Board Motions:
01/26/2021: Accepted U.S. Treasury Award of ERA Funds
02/23/2021: Approved agreement with CRI for Program Administration and provided policy direction
03/9/2021: Approved program policies
06/22/2021: Accepted U.S. Treasury Award of ERA 2 Funds
09/28/2021: Approval of 2 FTE to support ERAP
2/8/2022: Accepted U.S. Treasury Awards of ERA 1 Reallocated Funds
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
$124,632.64-Refunds of prior year payments
$693,559.93-ERA-1 Reallocated Funds-Round 2 Award
Revenue-154.00.0060.331.2000 Project #6212901
Expense-
154.00.0060.525.XX.XX Various Accounts
Project #6212901
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Strategic Guide:
All Other Mandatory and Discretionary Services
Background:
The U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERAP) made available $25 billion to assist eligible households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments with more than 200,000 residents, and Indian tribes. Grantees were to use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.
The BoCC accepted an award of $8,123,938.00. The first round of ERA provided eligible households up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional 3 months if the grantee determines the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability. The payment of existing housing-related arrears that could result in eviction of an eligible household is prioritized. Assistance was provided to reduce an eligible household’s rental arrears before the household may receive assistance for future rent payments.
Alachua County was awarded $9,701,662.10 in the second round of ERA Funds.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury provided guidance that the ERA Grantee may request Reallocated Funds if at least 65% of the total ERA awarded funds had been obligated and the jurisdiction demonstrated a need for the ERA funds requested. On November 2, 2021, a request for Reallocated Funds was made to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Rental Assistance Program for an additional $5,466,170.00 of ERA funds. The U.S. Department of the Treasury approved the request for Reallocated Funds in the amount of $149,381.45. On November 10, 2021, a second request was made to the U.S. Department of Treasury Rental Assistance Program for an additional $5,316,788.55 of ERA funds. The U.S Department of Treasury approved the second request for Reallocated Funds in the amount of $693,559.93.
The County has received back a total of $124,632.64 in refunds from ERA-1 grant funds due to various reasons including landlords who had tenants that moved out prior to payment being received for that tenant’s rent, the tenant had received OUR Florida assistance for the same period and some tenants and landlords did not receive the check in time and it had to be voided and reissued under the ERA-2 grant funds.