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Resolution 2021-31665 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31665 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL $200,000 FROM THE REMAINING BALANCE ($370,000) OF THE ORIGINAL $700,000 SET ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ADDRESS COVID-19 RELATED MATTERS, SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL AS A FY 2020-2021 EXPENSE; SAID ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BE EARMARKED FOR RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR QUALIFYING MIAMI BEACH HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY COVID- 19. WHEREAS, the City has been providing emergency rent assistance for eligible residents who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 resulting in rent arrears; and WHEREAS, the City is using a variety of federal and state funding sources, including Community Development Block Grant(CDBG-CV), Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)funds; and WHEREAS, the Miami Beach households assisted through these funds must be United States citizens or permanent residents earning no more than 80 percent Area Median Income(AMI) for CDBG programs and 60 percent AMI for HOME programs; and WHEREAS, CDBG-CV, CRF and HOME funds have a variety of requirements including income eligibility and residency status; and WHEREAS, while the City allocated the maximum funds to direct service, doing so meant that households with provisional immigration status could not be served with these funds; and WHEREAS, based on the initial tranche of applications processed through appointments as well as the online views versus application for the second tranche of funds, staff estimates that four of five households in the City needing rent assistance are ineligible to access federal funds; and WHEREAS, at its June 12,2020 meeting, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC)discussed the demand for rent assistance services in the community and acknowledged that the need was greater than what could be met with the funds allocated in Tranches 1 and 2;and WHEREAS, as such,the Committee recommended that up to$700,000 in General Reserve Funds be set aside for potential use to address the pressing need of rent assistance, and that only $330,000 of these funds be released at that time—a number equivalent to the value allocated in the two prior tranches of rent assistance; and WHEREAS, at its July 29,2020 City Commission meeting,the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2020-3132, accepting the recommendation of the FERC at its June 12, 2020 meeting, to allocate up to $700,000 in General Reserve Funds for potential use to address pressing need of rent, mortgage, and utilities assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic; authorizing the appropriation of$330,000 of these funds for qualified City residents; and directing the City Administration to award those funds to a non-profit organization, such as Citrus Heath Network, to ensure assistance is available to the broadest range of Miami Beach residents, including those who had not achieved permanent residency status; and WHEREAS, On September 18, 2020, a contract was executed with H.O.P.E. in Miami- Dade, Inc. (HOPE)to provide rent and utility services to Miami Beach households referred by the Office of Housing and Community Services (OHCS); and WHEREAS, the City is processing assistance requests utilizing CDBG-CV3, EFSP Phase 37 and EFSP CARES funds to fulfill the ongoing community needs; and WHEREAS, at its October 23, 2020 FERC meeting, the Administration recommended waiting for 60-days to reevaluate the need for additional funds in the future, in an amount not to exceed $700,000, to support rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs; and WHEREAS, at its March 26, 2021 meeting, FERC voted unanimously to: 1) appropriate an additional $200,000,from the balance($370,000)of the$700,000 initially set aside from the City's General Funds for COVID-19 related response services, in order to expand the rent/mortgage/utility assistance program, subject to approval in the FY 2020- 2021 budget; 2) limit the period of assistance to six (6) months per qualified Miami Beach household; and 3) include, as qualified Miami Beach residents, those who have not achieved permanent residency status; and WHEREAS, the Administration recommends continuing to provide assistance to Miami Beach residents who earn from 80% to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee to appropriate an additional$200,000 from the remaining balance($370,000)of the original$700,000 set aside from the General Fund to address COVID-19 related matters, subject to budgetary approval as a FY 2020-2021 expense;said additional funds to be earmarked for rent, mortgage and utility assistance for qualifying Miami Beach households who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. PASSED and ADOPTED this a9, day of I T l , 2021. ATTEST: Dan Gelber, Mayor 11)/3 Rafael E. Granado, City C erkw ' am ; INCORP ORATED. tial 44, /,..4?" c�',•26,"' APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION City Attorney A, Date • Resolutions-C7 G MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Raul J.Aguila, Interim City Manager DATE: April 21, 2021 SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO APPROPRIATE $200,000 OF THE $700,000 IN FUNDS SET ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ADDRESS COVID- 19 RELATED ITEMS FOR USE AS RENT, MORTGAGE, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR RESIDENTS HOUSEHOLDS EARNING UP TO 120% AMI WHO HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY IMPACTED BYCOVI D-19. RECOMMENDATION The Administration recommends committing the additional $200,000 for rent/mortgage/utility assistance to serve resident households earning up to 120 percent Area Median Income adversely impacted by COVI D-19 with no more than six months'total assistance. BACKGROUND/HISTORY The City undertook a rent/mortgage/utility assistance program to assist residents adversely impacted by COVI D -19. The City utilized a combination of funds to create a pool of more than $1.8 million including: • Community Development Block Grant(CDBG & CDBG-CV3) • HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) • Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) • General Fund (GF) • Miami-Dade County CARES (CARES) • Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP Phases 36 and 37 & EFSP CARES) At its June 12, 2020 meeting, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) discussed the demand for rent assistance services in the community and acknowledged that the need was greater than what could be met with the funds allocated in Tranches 1 and 2 through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)funds.As such, the Committee recommended that up to$700,000 in General Reserve Funds be set aside for potential use to address the pressing need for rent assistance. However, the Committee requested that only$330,000 of these funds be released at this time—a number equivalent to the value allocated in the two prior tranches of rent assistance. Furthermore, the Page 233 of 2709 Committee emphasized the desire that, if possible, these funds be reimbursed through other sources such as CARES funds from Miami-Dade County. As such, staff has ensured that documentation standards for all funds used to provide COVI D relief would meet the federal threshold in the event the City could pursue reimbursement for these funds. At its March 26, 2021 meeting, FERC voted unanimously to appropriate an additional $200,000 from the $700,000 initially set aside for COVID response service to expand the rent/mortgage/utility assistance program as demand for these support services remains as the economy has been slow to rebound for some sectors. ANALYSIS Currently,the City is processing assistance requests utilizing CDBG-CV3, EFSP Phase 37 and EFSP CARES funds. The City is receiving an average of five (5) new requests for rent/mortgage/utility assistance daily. These requests are averaging $3,247 per household and existing funds were projected to be expended in April. While the City continues to receive requests for assistance from new households, it has seen an increase in requests from assistance for previously-assisted households.About a third of current applicants have received prior assistance which was capped at six (6) months' help under federal rules. Under CDBG guidelines, rent maximum are for six contiguous months. EFSP programs only allow for one month's assistance. FERC moved the recommendation that $200,000 from the initial $700,000 set aside be programmed for ongoing rent/mortgage/utility assistance to augment the remaining federal funds available. These funds are expected to provide an additional two months' of assistance. As demand for rent/mortgage/utility assistance evolves with the economy and a variety of assistance exists throughout the broader community, the City's rent program is proposed to be capped at six months' assistance to ensure the ability to serve the broadest number of resident households possible. More so, since federal funds are capped at only 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI), the City's funds will serve households earning up to 120 percent AMI to serve as broad a swath of families impacted by the pandemic. In addition, the City has submitted an application for additional rent/mortgage/utility funds through an open and competitive grant program of CDBG-CV funds administered by the State. The City expects to know if it is awarded funds by June 2021. SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA n/a CONCLUSION The Administration recommends committing the additional $200,000 for rent/mortgage/utility assistance to serve resident households earning up to 120 percent Area Median Income adversely impacted by COVI D-19 with no more than six months'total assistance. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a"Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O. to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds? City Code Section 2-14? Page 234 of 2709 No No Strategic Connection Mobility-Address homelessness. Legislative Tracking Housing and Community Services Sponsor Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora and Commissioner David Richardson ATTACHMENTS: Description o Rent Assistance Chart Breakdown Page 235 of 2709 Rent Assistance Updated:4/6/2021 Award Amount Expended Current Balance Households assisted' Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus through the Cares Act(CDBG-CV)Tranche 1 $214,635.00 $214,635.00 $0.00 tit Community Development Block Grant-(CDBG) $3,600.00 $3,600.00 $0.00 1 Home Investment Partnership(HOME)Tranche 1 $90,369.00 $90,369.00 $0.00 64 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP) $3,225.00 $3,225.00 $0.00 3 Home Investment Partnership(HOME)Tranche 2 $271,000.00 $271,000.00 $0.00 91 Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus $65 .00through the Cares Act(CDBG-CV)Tranche 2 ,� $b5,000 oo Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- $247,500 awarded-$222,750 for rent,utility and Tranche 4 This allocation will include rent,utility and $222,750.00 $0.00 68 mortgage assistance. mortgage assistance 5330,000.00 awarded Funds allocated to Hove in Miami Dade with the following budget: Contractor Fees:533,000.00 General Funds-Tranche 3 Inspector General Fees:$1,650.00 $295,350.00 $0.00 SO Rent and Utility Assistance:$295,350.00 Rent and Utility Assistance:5295.350.00 '50 files processed by HOPE were charged back from the general funds to CRF-2 and County Cares. $62,733.91 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage assistance by Miami-Dade County County Cares Funds $62,733.91 $0.00 `$62,733.91 processed by HOPE were charged back from the general funds to County Cares. Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- $148,500 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage 2 This allocation will include rent,utility and mortgage assistance. $148,500.00 $0.00 17 assistance. $95,495.o0 processed by HOPE were charged back from the general funds to CRF-2. Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- 3 This allocation will Include rent,utility and mortgage $75,000 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage $75,000.00 $0.00 11 assistance assistance. Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- $20,000 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage 4 This allocation will include rent,utility and mortgage $20,000.00 $0.00 9 assistance assistance. Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP) $15,180 awarded-for rent assistance(limited to 1 month of assistance) $12,789.00 $2,391-00 9 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP) $500 awarded-for utility assistance $130.62 $369-38 2 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP)CARES $17,395 awarded-for rent assistance(limited to 1 $3,960.00 $13,435.00 3 funding month of assistance) Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus through the Cares Act(CDBG-CV)Round 3 $254,000.00 $177,093.40 $76,906.60 SS On Thursday,October 29.2020,the recurring application Iip r?6a f t https://apps.miamibeachfl.gov/housing for the remaining CDBG-CV Tranche 2.HOME Tranche 2 and CRF tranche 4 in order to meet the December 3 expend itureile.galine. • 'Please note some households were also awarded utility assistance. Resolutions -C7 G MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Raul J.Aguila, Interim City Manager DATE: April 29, 2021 SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCY COMMITTEE TO APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL $200,000 FROM THE REMAINING BALANCE ($370,000) OF THE ORIGINAL $700,000 SET ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ADDRESS COVID-19 RELATED MATTERS, SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY APPROVAL AS A FY 2020- 2021 EXPENSE; SAID ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BE EARMARKED FOR RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR QUALIFYING MIAMI BEACH HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY IMPACTED BYCOVID-19. RECOMMENDATION The Administration recommends committing the additional $200,000 for rent/mortgage/utility assistance to serve resident households earning up to 120 percent Area Median Income adversely impacted by COVID-19 with no more than six months'total assistance. BACKGROUND/HISTORY The City undertook a rent/mortgage/utility assistance program to assist residents adversely impacted by COVID-19. The City utilized a combination of funds to create a pool of more than $1.8 million including: • Community Development Block Grant(CDBG &CDBG-CV3) • HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) • Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) • General Fund (GF) • Miami-Dade County CARES (CARES) • Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP Phases 36 and 37 & EFSP CARES) At its June 12, 2020 meeting, the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) discussed the demand for rent assistance services in the community and acknowledged that the need was greater than what could be met with the funds allocated in Tranches 1 and 2 through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME)funds.As such, the Committee recommended that up to $700,000 in General Reserve Page 219 of 538 Funds be set aside for potential use to address the pressing need for rent assistance. However, the Committee requested that only$330,000 of these funds be released at this time—a number equivalent to the value allocated in the two prior tranches of rent assistance. Furthermore, the Committee emphasized the desire that, if possible, these funds be reimbursed through other sources such as CARES funds from Miami-Dade County. As such, staff has ensured that documentation standards for all funds used to provide COVI D relief would meet the federal threshold in the event the City could pursue reimbursement for these funds. At its March 26, 2021 meeting, FERC voted unanimously to appropriate an additional $200,000 from the $700,000 initially set aside for COVID response service to expand the rent/mortgage/utility assistance program as demand for these support services remains as the economy has been slow to rebound for some sectors. ANALYSIS Currently, the City is processing assistance requests utilizing CDBG-CV3, EFSP Phase 37 and EFSP CARES funds. The City is receiving an average of five (5) new requests for rent/mortgage/utility assistance daily. These requests are averaging $3,247 per household and existing funds were projected to be expended in April. While the City continues to receive requests for assistance from new households, it has seen an increase in requests from assistance for previously-assisted households.About a third of current applicants have received prior assistance which was capped at six (6) months' help under federal rules. Under CDBG guidelines, rent maximum are for six contiguous months. EFSP programs only allow for one month's assistance. FERC moved the recommendation that $200,000 from the initial $700,000 set aside be programmed for ongoing rent/mortgage/utility assistance to augment the remaining federal funds available. These funds are expected to provide an additional two months' of assistance. As demand for rent/mortgage/utility assistance evolves with the economy and a variety of assistance exists throughout the broader community, the City's rent program is proposed to be capped at six months' assistance to ensure the ability to serve the broadest number of resident households possible. More so, since federal funds are capped at only 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI),the City's funds will serve households earning up to 120 percent AMI to serve as broad a swath of families impacted by the pandemic. In addition, the City has submitted an application for additional rent/mortgage/utility funds through an open and competitive grant program of CDBG-CV funds administered by the State. The City expects to know if it is awarded funds by June 2021. SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA n/a CONCLUSION The Administration recommends committing the additional $200,000 for rent/mortgage/utility assistance to serve resident households earning up to 120 percent Area Median Income adversely impacted by COVI D-19 with no more than six months'total assistance. Applicable Area Citywide Page 220 of 538 Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O. to Know" item, pursuant to Bond Funds? City Code Section 2-14? No No Strategic Connection Mobility-Address homelessness. Legislative Tracking Housing and Community Services Sponsor Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora and Commissioner David Richardson • ATTACHMENTS: Description ❑ Rent Assistance Chart Breakdown ❑ Resolution Page 221 of 538 Rent Assistance Updated:4/6/2021 Award Amount Expended Current Balance Households assisted* Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus through the Cares Act(CDBG-CV)Tranche 1 $214,635.00 $214,635.00 $0.00 82 Community Development Block Grant-(CDBG) $3,600.00 $3,600.00 $0.00 1 Home Investment Partnership(HOME)Tranche 1 $90,369.00 $90,369.00 $0.00 64 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP) $3,225.00 $3,225.00 $0.00 3 Home Investment Partnership(HOME)Tranche 2 $271,000.00 $271,000.00 $0.00 91 Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus through the Cares Act(CDBG-CV)Tranche 2 '000'00 $65,000.00 $0,00 23 Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- Tranche 4This allocation will include rent,utility and $247,500 awarded $222,750 for rent,utility and $7_22,750 mortgage assistance. mortgage assistance $330,000,00 awarded Funds allocated to Hone In Miami Dade with the following budget: Contractor Fees:$33,000.00 General Funds-Tranche 3 Inspector General Fees:$1.650.00 5295,350.00 50.00 SO Rent and Utility Assistance:$295,350.00 Rent and Utility Assistance:$295,350.00 •50 files processed by HOPE were charged back from the general funds to CRF-2 and County Cares. $62,733.91 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage assistance by Miami-Dade County County Cares Funds $62,733.91 $0.00 `$62,733.91 processed by HOPE were charged back from the general funds to County Cares. Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- $148,500 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage 2 This allocation will include rent,utility and mortgage assistance. $148,500.00 assistance. `$95,495.00 processed by HOPE were charged hack 17 from the general funds to CRF-2. Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- 3 This allocation will include rent,utilityand mortgage $75,000 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage ma� g assistance $75,000.00 $0.00 11 assistance. Corona Virus Relief Funds-Florida Housing Corporation- 4 This allocation will include rent,utility and mortgage $20,000 awarded-for rent,utility and mortgage $20,y assistance. assistance 00 $0.00 9 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP) $15,180 awarded-for rent assistance(limited to 1 g month of assistance} $12.789.00 $2,391.00 9 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP) $500 awarded-for utility assistance $130.62 $369.38 2 Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSP)CARES $17,395 awarded-for rent assistance(limited to 1 funding month of assistance) $3.960.00 $13,435.00 3 Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus 00 through the Cares Act(CDBG-CV)Round 3 $254,000 $177,093.40 $76,906.60 51 On Thursday,October 29,2020,the recurring application lip be 2ce,e5tieafdn at https://apps.miamibeachfl.gov/housing for the remaining CDBG-CV Tranche 2,HOME Tranche 2 and CRF tranche 4 in order to meet the December 3 expenditure deadline. `Please note some households were also awarded utility assistance.