AGENDA #4f
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for Project Homestart
DATE: January 27, 2003
The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) has requested that the Town Council approve a resolution supporting the IFC’s efforts to secure Housing and Urban Development funding after April 1, 2003, for Project Homestart (Attachment 1). Renewal funds for Project Homestart, were not approved for funding with the 2002 HUD Homeless Assistance grant awards. Project Homestart is a transitional housing program designed to assist up to 15 homeless families move toward independent, permanent housing.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution on January 21 supporting the restoration of funding to Project Homestart and pledging to petition federal elected officials to assist the IFC in funding restoration efforts (Attachment 2).
The IFC and Board of Commissioners sent the attached correspondence to Senators Elizabeth Dole and John Edwards (Attachments 3-4) to request their support to reallocate the HUD-approved 2002 Homeless Assistance Award as follows:
· $366,156 for Project Homestart Transitional Housing
· $262,140 for a Leasing Program
· $103,000 for Shelter Plus Care.
The IFC has requested that the Town Council approve a resolution of support for the program. The attached resolution also would pledge that the Council petition federal legislators to assist the IFC’s funding restoration efforts.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council approve the attached resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
1. January 22, 2003 Email Request from Chris Moran to Cal Horton (p. 3).
2. January 21, 2003 Resolution Adopted by Orange County Board of Commissioners (p. 4).
3. December 23, 2002 memorandum from IFC to Senator Elizabeth Dole (p. 5).
4. January 10, 2003 letter from Orange County Board of Commissioners to Senator John Edwards (p. 7).
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FUNDING OF THE PROJECT HOMESTART PROGRAM AND PLEDGING TO PETITION FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ASSIST THE INTER-FAITH COUNCIL’S FUNDING RESTORATION EFFORTS (2003-01-27/R-6)
WHEREAS, the December 2002 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Homeless Assistance grant awards did not include funding for the Project Homestart program sponsored by the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service; and
WHEREAS, Project Homestart is a transitional housing program designed to assist up to 15 homeless families move toward independent, permanent housing; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service requested reallocation of funds totaling $366,156 to the Project Homestart program; and
WHEREAS, this reallocation would support both permanent and transitional housing for homeless individuals and families in the Town and would help continue to meet the growing needs of this segment of the population;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports the restoration of funding to Project Homestart and pledges to petition our federal legislators to assist the IFC’s funding restoration efforts.
This the 27th day of January, 2003.
Dear Cal,
I would like to request your assistance in asking the Town of Chapel Hill to approve a "Resolution" supporting Inter-Faith Council's efforts to secure HUD funding after April 1, 2003. If the Council agrees and approves a "Resolution", we ask that the "Resolution" be sent to our Federal delegation and HUD officials communicating your position that transitional housing services for homeless families be continued in Orange County. Attached is the formal Resolution passed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners last evening at their meeting.
Know that the IFC Board of Directors has unanimously approved continuing Project Homestart services through June of this year even with the news that HUD funding will end on March 31. IFC plans to ask local donors and groups to help us in this regard. IFC Board President, Natalie Ammarell, is also appointing an ad hoc committee to review all organization options (fundraising, reorganization, partnerships and the recruitment of community volunteers) to maintain all essential IFC services to the community, and to continue services for homeless families at the Homestead location after June 30. I have also attached our original request and background information sent to Senators Dole, Edwards and Congressman Price.
Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions.
Thank you for your continued support of the IFC!
Chris Moran, Executive Director
Inter-Faith Council for Social Service
110 West Main Street
Carrboro, NC 27510
919.929.6380.ext. 26
919.417.5230 - Mobile
919.929.3353 - Fax
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution Supporting Restoration Of Funding To Project Homestart And Pledging To Petition Federal Elected Officials To Assist The Inter-Faith Council In Their Restoration Efforts
WHEREAS, the Orange County Continuum of Care submitted an application for Homeless Assistance funding to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in May 2002 for $1,097,452 including $366,156 in renewal funding for Project Homestart; and
WHEREAS, Orange County was awarded approximately $731,296 in Homeless Assistance funding in December 2002; and
WHEREAS, the funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development application does not include funding for the renewal of the Project Homestart Transitional Housing Program sponsored by the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service; and
WHEREAS, Project Homestart is a transitional housing program designed to assist up to 15 homeless families move toward independent, permanent housing; and
WHEREAS, Project Homestart is a unique program in Orange County and a vital component of the Homeless Program Continuum of Care;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports restoration of funding to Project Homestart and pledges to petition federal elected officials to assist the Inter-Faith Council in their restoration efforts.
This the 21st day of January, 2003.