TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Kristin Retherford, Urban Development Director
SUBJECT:
title
Support for federal funding for programs that prevent and reduce homelessness
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2019-18 supporting full funding for federal programs that provide critical services and housing that prevent and reduce homelessness?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2019-18 (Attachment 1) supporting full funding for federal programs that provide critical services and housing that prevent and reduce homelessness and communicate City’s position to Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressman Schrader.
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SUMMARY:
At a recent Housing Authority meeting, the Commission was updated on potential reductions in funding for federal housing programs. President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget proposes to eliminate or cut several federal housing programs. Cuts in these programs would negatively impact the City’s work to address poverty, housing scarcity, and homelessness. The Commission requested a resolution be considered by City Council stating the importance of full funding for the federal programs that are vital to the City’s efforts to reduce and prevent homelessness.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
City, regional, and state programs to reduce and prevent homelessness will be harmed by a federal budget that eliminates or reduces funding for housing, support services, and poverty prevention. Without federal funding, non-profit organizations in Salem and Keizer, and the Salem Housing Authority, would be unable to continue many of the programs in the community that support the construction of new housing, provide rental assistance and support, or other tools and programs to prevent or address homelessness.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal agencies provide critical funding for services that assist people experiencing homelessness and that help prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. The Salem Housing Authority relies on over $26 million in federal funding. The Marion-Polk region receives an additional $600,000 to $800,000 each year in federal funding from HUD through the Rural Oregon Continuum of Care to support programs addressing poverty and homelessness.
The City of Salem allocates federal grants annually to non-profit organizations in Salem and Keizer to provide affordable housing and prevent homelessness. HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program provides communities flexible funding to address local needs, including over $1.4 million in funding for services to homeless families in Salem and Keizer. Additionally, HUD’s HOME Investments Partnership Program assists Salem and Keizer with over $1.2 million in funding for financing the construction and preservation of affordable housing.
BACKGROUND:
As homelessness has increased in recent years, federal funding is needed more than ever to address a crisis that is impacting cities across the nation. Homelessness has become a prominent community issue. Homelessness requires significant investment in housing and supportive services, investment that is beyond the means of the City.
Kristin Retherford
Urban Development Director
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2019-18