Agenda Item Name:
Title
Funding for Grace Market Transitional Campground
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Presenter:
Claudia Tuck
Description:
GRACE is requesting $233,099.00 (shared equally with the City of Gainesville) for FY 20-21 to fund the Transitional Campground located within the fenced in area. The City of Gainesville has appropriated funds for the transitional campground. GRACE is requesting $116,549.50 from Alachua County.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Receive the information and allow funds to remain as allocated to support CSS Housing Initiatives
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Prior Board Motions:
Commissioner Cornell moved to direct staff to evaluate whether the County can allocate any of the prior year or current permanent supportive housing allocation that will not be used or the CARES Act Category 3 eligible pay roll cost which would include public safety to facilitate the shortfall and bring it back at future meeting.
(Commissioner Cornell clarified that this is not in addition to the $250,000 that GRACE Marketplace is eligible for under the non-profit CARES Act funds.)
2nd Commissioner Wheeler
The motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners Byerly and Chestnut voting “Nay”.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
FY19/20 Available Carryforward Funds $169,795
FY20/21 Budget Allocation $1,000, 000/00
Note: See attached expenditure summary and spending proposal.
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Background:
On October 13, 2020, the BoCC directed staff to evaluate whether the County can allocate any of the prior year or current permanent supportive housing allocation that will not be used or the CARES Act Category 3 eligible pay roll cost which would include public safety to facilitate the shortfall and bring it back at future meeting.
Commissioner Cornell clarified that this is not in addition to the $250,000 that GRACE Marketplace is eligible for under the non-profit CARES Act funds.
On August 28, 2014 the City of Gainesville and Alachua County entered into an Interlocal Agreement to provide funding for GRACE. Prior to FY19-20, the City and County shared equally in funding the operations. Beginning in FY19-20 the County decided to reduce its share of GRACE funding over a three year period of time.
For FY19-20 the County appropriated $500,000.00 for GRACE, while the City appropriated $1,000,000.00. The County also agreed to pay $500,000.00, shared equally with the City ($250,000.00 each) to fund the Transitional Campground. It was further agreed, that any remaining FY19-20 Transitional Campground funding would be applied to FY20-21. GRACE has indicated there is $66,037.00 available for carry forward.
At the direction of BoCC, the Department of Community Support Services evaluated the Permanent Supportive Housing budgets for FY 19/20 (carryforward) and FY 20/21 and determined that the department will utilize all of the allocated funding to support housing initiatives within the department, specifically the Division of Social Services. Services and programs include Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, Homeless Prevention, and deposits. Due to COVID 19, there is an increase need to help families and individuals remain housed, obtain housing, and/or pay utilities. Due to the anticipation of the moratorium being lifted at the end of December 2020, many vulnerable residents including seniors and children are at a risk of potential evictions. At this time, there is no budget to support Grace Market Transitional Campground.