95-21612 Reso •
RESOLUTION NO. 9 5—21612
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH,FLORIDA AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING
THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT UNDER
THE FAIR HOUSING INITIATIVES PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE
OF RECEIVING FUNDS TO EXPAND THE CITY'S FAIR HOUSING
ACTIVITIES.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has a tradition of fulfilling the Fair Housing laws of both the State
and the Federal government, enacting in December of 1992, a Human Rights Ordinance (Ord. No. 92-2824) that
established, among other things, local Fair Housing regulations, substantially equivalent to Federal and State
regulations; and
WHEREAS, for years,the City has focused its efforts in addressing the needs of the users of housing while
planning an expanded program to address issues related to the providers of housing; and
WHEREAS, in April 1995, the J.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a Notice of
Funding Availability for Fair Housing Initiatives and funds that would be available for initiatives from local
governments, among others,to enforce and enhance compliance with the Fair Housing Act as well as substantially
equivalent State and local Fair Housing laws; and
WHEREAS, a grant application would need to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development no later than July 20, 1995; and
WHEREAS, the City is seeking an award of$50,000 for the expansion of its current activities in the area
of Fair Housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, as follows:
Section I: The City Administration is hereby authorized to submit a proposal to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing Initiatives Program.
Section II: The disbursing officers of the City are hereby authorized to disburse the funds required by the
terms of the grant award, if and when awarded.
Section III: The City's Housing&Community Development Division is char_:- with the resp.• 'bility for
implementation of this grant and for the preparation and filing of all required gr. (.mpliance docu s.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 21st day of June, 1995. /
I /
Mayor
ATTEST: FORM APP VED
LE pEPT.
City Clerk By
Date 6/ fh-
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. 1---1 1 9- 1
TO: Mayor Seymour Gelber and June 21, 1995
Members of the City Commission DATE:
FROM: Jose Garcia-Pedrosa
City Manager
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AU ..a ORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING INITIATIVES PROGRAM FOR
THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING FUNDS TO EXPAND FAIR
HOUSING ACTIVITIES IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends adoption of the attached Resolution authorizing and directing the City
Manager to submit a proposal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under
the Fair Housing Initiatives Program for expanding fair housing activities within the City of Miami Beach.
BACKGROUND
The Housing& Community Development Division of the City's Department of Development, Design &
Historic Preservation has traditionally ensured compliance with HUD's Fair Housing regulations since they
administer all HUD-funded federal grant programs, including the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant(ESG) Program, and HOME Investment Partnerships. In the past,the
Administration has focused its efforts in addressing the needs of the users of housing(such as homebuyers,
renters,and others)through affirmative marketing,educational brochures,and school pamphlets. In recent
months,however, the Administration has identified a need to expand its efforts and address issues related
to the providers of housing(such as real estate companies,developers,and community leaders.) This need
has become more pressing as the City's "Consolidated Plan" moves into the public comment phase. The
Administration has designed an expanded program that would address some of these needs and would
include a new and more proactive approach to Fair Housing issues. This program, however, is expected
to exceed the City's current allocation of CDBG funds available for such activities. Funding under HUD's
Fair Housing Initiatives Program would allow the City to expand its activities, comply with HUD's Fair
Housing regulations, and establish tools for the continuation of the program in years to come.
The Housing and Community Development Division,in anticipation of the City Commission authorization,
has prepared the attached draft application for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program of the U.S.Department
of Housing and Urban Development(HUD). If you concur, said application would be for a grant in the
amount of$50,000 to expand the City's Education and Outreach activities in the area of Fair Housing.''
AGENDA ITEM al —I
DATE Co 21- 15
Commission Memorandum
June 21, 1995
page two
ANALYSIS
In April 1995,HUD issued a Notice of Funding Availability(NOFA) for Fair Housing Initiatives, making
a total of$14.5 million available for such initiatives, nationwide. The NOFA indicates that $3.5 million
will be available for Education and Outreach initiatives from local governments, among others. The
purpose of the program is assist projects and activities designed to enforce and enhance compliance with
the Fair Housing Act as well as substantially equivalent State and local Fair Housing laws. The deadline
for submission of a grant application is July 20, 1995. Attached is a two (2) page excerpt from the
Federal Register that outlines the type of activities that are eligible under the Education and Outreach
Component of the Program.
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3601-19 (Fair Housing Act) charges
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) with the responsibility to accept and investigate
complaints alleging discrimination. In addition, the Act directs the Secretary to coordinate action with
State and local agencies administering fair housing laws and to cooperate with, and render technical
assistance to, public and private entities carrying out programs to prevent and eliminate discriminatory
housing practices. Section 561 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987,42 U.S.C.3616
note, established the Fair Housing Initiative Program, to strengthen the Department's enforcement of the
Fair Housing Act and to further fair housing. Section 905 of the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1992 established, among other things, the Fair Housing Initiatives Program as a permanent
program. HUD has solicited public comments on Section 905 and will publish a final rule that
incorporates public comments to the initial demonstration program for Section 905. This final rule will
include requirements that will be incorporated on the City of Miami Beach's Annual Consolidated Plan.
To be eligible to receive federal funds, all participating jurisdictions must comply with federal regulations
regarding Fair Housing. HUD has responsibility for ensuring that Fair Housing regulations are adhered
to in all HUD-funded programs. As stated, for the City of Miami Beach, these include: Community
Development Block Grant(CDBG),Emergency Shelter Grant(ESG)Program, and the HOME Investment
Partnerships. Other federal funding agencies include the Federal Emergency Management Association
(FEMA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Economic Development Administration (EDA),
and others.
CONCLUSION
It is the Administration's recommendation that the City apply for this grant to receive funds to enhance
current and future Fair Housing activities in the City. This funding will allow the City of Miami Beach
to expand its education and outreach activities in the area of Fair Housing.
JGP/LRG/Irg