Title
SAFE Charlotte Grant Program
Action
Action:
A. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with United Way of Central Carolinas, Inc. for the SAFE Charlotte Grant Program for an initial term of 15 months, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to one, one-year term, with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Victoria O. Johnson, City Manager’s Office
Pamela Wideman, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
§ On October 26, 2020, City Council adopted the SAFE (Safety and Accountability for Everyone) Charlotte Plan which includes six public safety recommendations for the city to reimagine the approach to policing and violence prevention.
§ SAFE Charlotte Plan Recommendation #1 calls for the city to provide $1 million to help Charlotte-based non-profits address violence in the community.
§ On February 15, 2021, the city entered into a contract with the United Way of the Central Carolinas, Inc. (UWCC) for administrative services for the SAFE Charlotte Grant Program.
§ UWCC was chosen to administer the grant on behalf of the city as the organization who best meets the city’s needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and established local non-profit partnerships in Charlotte.
§ A waiver of a competitive solicitation process for services may be granted on a limited basis when deemed appropriate and in the city’s best interest. A waiver has been approved for these services based on time constraints to launching the grant program as well as a limited pool of local vendors with the capacity and required qualifications to carry out the scope of work.
§ UWCC will run an open RFP and select 20 Charlotte-based nonprofits whose proposals best support the community priorities identified in the SAFE Charlotte Plan.
- Funding areas include youth services; employment training; services for youth and caregivers; and supportive services for domestic violence victims, and
- Services will be open for City of Charlotte Residents at or below 80 percent area median income (AMI).
§ The Program will be funded by both the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the General Fund Operating Budget. The total expenditures for the initial term will be $1,000,000.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
§ The City of Charlotte receives CDBG funding annually as entitlement recipient of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
§ HUD allows CDBG funds to be used for activities that build stronger more resilient communities.
§ $850,000 of CDBG funding will be used to support the violence prevention services of the 20 grantees ($42,500 each).
§ Allowable funding areas include youth services, employment training; services for youth and caregivers; and supportive services for domestic violence victims.
§ Direct services will be available to City Households at or below 80 percent AMI.
- General Fund Operating Budget
§ $150,000 will be contracted to 20 grantees ($7,500 each) alongside CDBG funding for program expense incurred but ineligible for reimbursement under the CDBG Grant.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Community Development Block Grant and General Fund Operating Budget