Title
Public Hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV2) Closeout Report
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing on the CDBG-CV2 Closeout Report.
Report
Issue:
Whether to hold a public hearing on the CDBG-CV2 Closeout Report.
Staff Contact:
Anastasia Everett, CDBG Program Manager, 360.753.8277
Presenter(s):
Anastasia Everett, CDBG Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
In April 2021, the City of Olympia entered into an interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for CDBG-CV2 funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus in partnership with local service providers. The City had been awarded $93,036 in CDBG-CV2 funding. The City funded the Homeless Response Coordinator $84,036 to provide outreach and services for Olympia’s residents experiencing homelessness. During that period of performance, the number of beneficiaries served was 617.
In 2023, the City amended the interagency agreement to increase funding for an additional $48,222. The City funded the Homeless Response Team and OlyMAP with the additional funding. The City’s Homeless Response Team purchased cold weather supplies and other survival gear to provide aid to residents experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Response Team served 71 residents in their period of performance.
OlyMAP provided individual case management, site support, safety and survival supplies and services for 11 residents of the New Hope Tiny Home Community and the 28 former residents of the Nickerson camp community. Supplies and services provided have included obtainment of personal identification documents, payment of application fees for housing and the provision of personal hygiene, health and harm reduction supplies. OlyMAP also supported both communities through the provision of health, safety and stability supplies, such as PPE to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. OlyMAP served 38 beneficiaries during the period of performance.
The grant included $9,000 of administrative costs, which supported the City’s CDBG Program Manager. All beneficiaries served with CDBG-CV2 funding met the definition of extremely low-income according to HUD income limits.
Climate Analysis:
CDBG-CV2 program activities did not relate to either increase or decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Equity Analysis:
CDBG-CV2 funding directly supported marginalized community members and our most vulnerable residents. The City and OlyMAP connected residents experiencing homelessness with connections to services that are not easily accessible to this population, such as assistance in obtaining personal identification documents and payment of housing application fees. CDBG funding is a powerful tool in addressing gaps in services available for community members affected by poverty.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Homeless response activities are a substantial community interest according to the community surveys the City has held in recent years. Consistently, homeless response rates as a high community priority to address. OlyMAP served residents formerly at an unsanctioned camp, Nickerson, which had a great community interest, as well. The City provided homeless outreach services to many community members across the City during the period of performance, including high-interest areas such as Downtown.
Financial Impact:
The City expended $141,258.00 of Commerce CDBG-CV2 funding during 2022, 2023 and 2024. Staff will continue to seek funding sources to provide further opportunities for outreach activities.
Options:
1. Hold the public hearing on the CDBG-CV2 closeout report.
2. Move the public hearing to another Council date
3. Do not hold the public hearing, risk noncompliance with Commerce interagency agreement
Attachments:
CDBG-CV2 Closeout Report draft