Title
Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance in Response to COVID-19
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $26,714,160 from the U.S. Department of Treasury for Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance in the General COVID-19 Assistance Fund, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute any necessary contracts related to the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Pamela Wideman, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
* To help address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress included funds for emergency rental and utility assistance in H.R. 133, the FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Act).
* As a result of the Act, the city received a total of $26,714,160 in federal funding to provide emergency rental and utility assistance.
* The proposed uses for this funding are restricted by guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
* A minimum of 90 percent of the funds ($24,042,744) must be spent on direct financial assistance.
* The proposed funding uses are:
* Utility Assistance (electric, gas, and water): $7,934,105 to provide assistance to approximately 15,000 households across the three utilities. The utilities assistance will be allocated as follows:
* Approximately $2.6 million for Duke Energy, $3.6 million for Charlotte Water, and $1.3 million for Piedmont Natural Gas with the flexibility to adjust these amounts based on usage and demand.
* Rental Assistance: $16,108,639 to provide assistance to approximately 5,300 households.
* Direct financial assistance can be provided for the following types of expenses:
* Rent, including up to three months of prospective rent, and rental arrears;
* Utilities and utilities arrears; and
* Any other housing-related expenses incurred that are directly or indirectly associated with COVID-19, as defined by the Treasury Secretary.
* Assistance may be provided for up to 12 months, and an additional three months of assistance may be accessed...
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