Title
Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing Funding in Response to Hurricane Helene
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $1,000,000 of Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Neighborhood Development Grants Fund,
B. Amend the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development to reflect the Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing grant, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute any necessary contracts and agreements related to the funds.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Rebecca Hefner, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
§ On October 4, 2024, in response to hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) included Mecklenburg County in its notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of North Carolina.
§ On November 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) notified the city that it is awarding the City of Charlotte a special allocation in the amount of $1,000,000 of Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) grant funds under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program in response to the impacts of the hurricane.
§ On May 28, 2024, City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development (Plan). The Plan describes the city’s use of HUD funding during fiscal year 2025 and is consistent with the city’s housing policies and priorities. The Plan will be amended, per HUD requirements, to include the receipt and use of RUSH grant funds for eligible activities.
§ RUSH grants are made to local governments to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness who have been residing in a declared disaster area and have needs that are not otherwise served or fully met by existing federal disaster relief programs.
§ Eligible households must be homeless or at risk of homelessness, have been residing in a declared disaster area, and have needs that will not be met by other existing federal disaster relief programs.
§ Comparable to the ESG program, RUSH eligible activities include:
- Emergency shelter,
- Rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention,
- Housing relocation and stabilization services,
- Supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, and
- Street outreach services.
§ There is no match required for the RUSH grant funds.
Fiscal Note
Funding: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Budget Ordinance