In 2021, Congress appropriated $5 billion in funds to perform activities that primarily benefit qualifying individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations.

Eligible activities included:

1. Development and support of affordable housing
2. Tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA)
3. Provision of supportive services
4. Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units.

The program is the HOME-American Rescue Plan, or “HOME-ARP.” HUD set aside $8.4 million in HOME-ARP funding for the City to address homelessness and affordable housing. To receive these funds, the City was required to develop an Allocation Plan for HUD’s approval, outlining needs, service gaps, and how funds would be allocated. The following actions were taken to determine gaps and needs.

• Consulting with service recipients and over 40 providers of homeless services, including those that provide services to veterans, people fleeing domestic violence, and youth, as well as public housing agencies and mental health organizations.

• Analyzing data from the City’s Affordable Housing Study, as well as data from annual Point In Time homeless census counts and the American Community Survey.

• Working with consultants from Clutch Consulting to evaluate service intake and other data from the community’s homeless services database to determine gaps and areas of improvement.

After evaluating the gathered information, the plan was developed and approved by the City Council on March 28, 2023.

Changes in outcomes and services since this approval now require the plan to be amended to change the scope of services. This change in scope entails a shift away from developing affordable housing with HOME-ARP funds and towards gaining and maintaining access to affordable housing through tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services.

The amendment to the HOME-ARP allocation plan will be posted for 30 days starting May 5.

Public comments may be submitted on the plan amendment through the form below during this time.

All comments submitted before midnight on Tuesday, June 3, will be considered before the plan's final submission to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.