City of Rockford Planning & Development Committee met April 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Alderman Rose called the meeting to order at 5:39 pm
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Linda McNeely | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Chad Tuneberg | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Natavias Ervins | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Bill Rose | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
A. Acceptance of Supplemental funding in the amount of $636,693 to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grant, through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES)
The staff report explained that the City of Rockford has received notification that the City of Rockford has been awarded $636,693 in supplemental Emergency Solutions Grant funds as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Public law 116-136.
These special ESGCV funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID19) among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance; and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
A need for rental assistance, both short term and long term has clearly emerged in our community due to the COVID-19 crisis in the City of Rockford. The City of Rockford Human Services Department, Community Services Division has been receiving multiple calls for rental assistance, averaging at least 12 calls a day from residents facing loss of housing. There are currently over 150 households asking for rental assistance due to COVID-19 related job loss. In addition, there are approximately 60 high-risk individuals and families residing in shelters/temporary housing who should be relocated to permanent housing.
The City of Rockford Human Services Department intends to utilize the funds as follows:
Homeless Prevention; provide short term and medium term rental assistance to households that meet the threshold of very low income as established by HUD due to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Also funded is the case management necessary to work with households receiving assistance in order to stabilize their housing as quickly as possible and provide other needed supportive services.
Rapid Rehousing; provide short term and medium term rental assistance to homeless individuals who are in the highest risk groups of those affected by COVID-19 including the disabled, elderly, families with children and those with medical conditions. This includes an emphasis on serving minority populations that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Also funded through rapid rehousing is the case management necessary to work with households receiving assistance in order to stabilize their housing as quickly as possible and provide other needed supportive services.
Administration; coordinating with local and State disaster planning entities and community providers to address COVID-19 related housing needs, provide monitoring, compliance, fiscal functions and general oversight of the program.
The budget will be as follows:
Homeless Prevention Rental Assistance: $251,024
Homeless Prevention Housing Stabilization and Case Management $ 36,000
Rapid Rehousing Rental Assistance: $250,000
Rehousing Housing Stabilization and Case Management $ 36,000
Administration $ 63,669
Alderman Tuneberg asked if there is a certain income level of individuals that would not qualify for the funding. Anqunette Parham, Executive Director of Human Services stated that there a couple pools of funding and for some of the categories, the income level has been raised to 200% of the federal poverty line. However, with the Covid-19 assistance there may be additional funding options for these individuals who have never applied for assistance before but with the circumstances, they are now finding themselves homeless or in need.
Alderman Durkee asked for a clarification for the administration portion of the budget. Director Parham stated it includes additional provisional services, increase in mileage costs, and all of the other related costs from providing services to the larger number of people.
Alderman McNeely asked if we have seen an increase in individuals coming in asking for assistance. Director Parham stated that there has been an increase. They have 156 families that are waiting on this particular assistance.
Alderman Thompson-Kelly asked where these dollars are coming from. Mayor McNamara stated that it is coming from the CARES Act that was a third stimulus bill through the federal government.
Alderman Hervey asked if these 156 families are being evicted because they were not able to pay their rent and she asked where these people coming from. She also wanted to know if there are any safeguards in place to prevent evictions during the pandemic. Director Parham stated that of the 156 requests, 146 are specifically for rental assistance and the remaining 10 are mortgage assistance, which falls under a different pool of funding. The 146 would fall under this funding request that we are discussing. This is an increase because these people were previously stable, but have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
Alderman Hervey asked if there is enough support for people who were previously stable and will now not be stable because of the drag on the economy and generally because of the pandemic. She further asked if the City will see an increase in people being evicted in the next two or three months. Director Parham stated that one of the things that the Human Services department is looking at in terms of providing this assistance is a goal of a three (3) to six (6) month timeframe maximum. They want to help people get into a position that they will not be facing eviction immediately after the executive order is lifted. She clarified each of the funding categories listed in the budget.
Director Parham further stated that they would be accepting direct referrals from all of our Homeless Continuum of Care partners as well as from the EOC. They will also be accepting their regular application process. They anticipate an increase in utilization of services.
Alderman Hervey asked who they can call if there is a resident who needs assistance. Director Parham stated that residents can call Human Services at (844) 710-6919.
Alderman Rose stated he knows that the services in the City for the homeless community has been reduced significantly. The Rescue Mission says donations have decreased as much as 90% and they asked if anyone would like to help, donations are needed.
Mayor McNamara thanked Director Parham for stepping up during this time.
Alderman Durkee made a motion to approve the Committee Report and Alderman Tuneberg seconded the motion. MOTION PREVAILED-5-0.
RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
Next: 4/20/2020 5:45 PM
MOVER: Tim Durkee, Alderman
SECONDER: Chad Tuneberg, Alderman
AYES: Durkee, McNeely, Tuneberg, Ervins, Rose
Alderman Tuneberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Durkee, meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.
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