Title
Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance in Response to COVID-19
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $28,841,640.10 from the U.S. Department of Treasury for Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance in the American Rescue Plan Act Fund, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute any necessary contracts and agreements related to the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Pamela Wideman, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
* To help address the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress included funds for emergency rental and utility assistance in H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Act).
* As a result of the Act, the city is estimated to receive a total of $28,841,640.10 in federal funding to provide emergency rental and utility assistance.
* This funding is being dispersed in tranches (separated portions). The city has received 40 percent ($11,536,656) of the total allocation. The remaining funding will be dispersed in subsequent tranches according to a schedule being developed by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
* This funding is in addition to $26,714,160 in federal funding the city received for emergency rental and utility assistance from H.R. 133, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
* The proposed uses for this funding are restricted by guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
* A minimum of 85 percent of the funds ($24,515,394) must be spent on direct financial assistance.
* To help avoid extensive evictions and maintain stable housing for city residents, the proposed funding uses are:
* Utility Assistance (electric, gas, and water): Up to $7,934,105 to aid 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 flexibili...
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