LTC 090-2021 Update on City’s COVID-Related Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance ProgramDocuSign Envelope ID: 9C47B5 A3-E B33-40BF-AF E8-CEF8803B13FE
MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC #
090-2021
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of t~Jtvs~Q~mission
Raul J. Aguila, Interim City Manager Kaul lad4a-
2B8306240F928450..
March 5, 2021
Update on City's COVI O-Related Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide an update on the City's
rent/mortgage/utilities assistance program for residents adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Beginning in March 2020, the City harnessed a variety of sources to create a pool of funding to
provide immediate financial relief for residents whose household incomes were adversely
impacted by COVID-19. These internal, state and federal funds totaled $1,825,061 and included:
Source Value
Community Development Block Grant (reqular allocation)' $ $68,600
HOME Investment Partnership (regular allocation) 1 $361,369
Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP-Phase 36)' $3,225
Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus ' $ 214 635
Coronavirus Relief Funds (4 allocations through state) ' $ 466 250
County CARES ' $ 142 507
General Fund ' $297,000
Community Development Block Funds Coronavirus - 3 2 $254,000
Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP -Phase 37) $ 15,680
Emergency Food & Shelter Program CARES (EFSP-CARES) $17,395
1-- Funds were expended by December 30, 2020
2- Funds were received February 2021
The City was able to charge $79,773 to the County CARES program that were originally drawn
from General Fund resources as a way to maximize the CARES funding that had a December
30, 2020 expenditure deadline. We are currently expecting the reimbursement from the County
to return these funds to the General Fund.
With the exception of General Fund resources, these funds each had specific eligibility
requirements. Federal funds served households earning no more than 80 percent Area Median
Income or $51,200 for a household of one. The State's Coronavirus Relief Funds allowed us to
served households earning up to 140 percent Area Median Income. All funds required
demonstration that a household seeking assistance could demonstrate financial need as a result
of COVID-19 impacts on their income. In addition to determining eligibility, applicants were
DocuSign Envelope ID: 9C47B5A3-EB33-40BF-AFE8-CEF8803B813FE
required to obtain landlord consent for third party payment of past due rents.
We have evaluated the 357 households assisted with rent assistance through December 30,
2021. The average rent assistance (excluding utility assistance) per application was $2,762.23.
Fifty-five (55) of these households sought assistance at least twice and 285 households received
assistance for multiple months of rent arrears.
The City is currently drawing rent assistance from its EFSP, EFSP CARES and CDBG-CV3 funds.
We are pending approval to release funds from the EFSP Clearinghouse for applications that will
deplete Phase 37 funds. An analysis of the CDBG-CV 3 funds utilized thus far shows that the
average rent assistance request has grown significantly to $5,564.60 per household assistance
or 201 percent compared to funds drawn in 2020. While the monthly rent amounts are
comparable, applicants are applying for help in greater rent arrears than last year.
The current pace of draw projects rent assistance to average about $105,726 per month. At this
pace, the remaining CDBG-CV3 funds will be fully drawn by the first week of April. Projecting
forward, the City would need $634,356 in additional funds in order to meet rent assistance needs
through the remainder of the current fiscal year.
lf you _have any additional questions, please feel free to see me or Maria Ruiz, Director, Office of "é"#ê +ommoniv srvi ces
RJA/ATH/MLR