Item:
Title
Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 21BCC000087 for Department of Social Services to Accept Grant Funds in the amount of $1,244,759.40 for Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance for Durham County Residents
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: February 22, 2021
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Emergency Rental Assistance program makes available $25 billion to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are provided directly to States, U.S. Territories, local governments, and Indian tribes to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.
Durham County received $1,244,759.40 from the program, and this action is requesting that these funds be added to the DSS budget.
Not less than 90 percent of awarded funds must be used for direct financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing. Remaining funds are available for housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to keep households stably housed, and administrative costs.
These funds expire on December 31, 2021. The assistance listing number (CDFA number) assigned to the ERA program is 21.023.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: Goal 2: Health and Well-being for All which decrease health disparities within the community and Goal 3: Safe and Secure Community to improve outcomes for vulnerable, children, youth, and adults.
Resource Persons: William Rose, Director and Janeen Gordon, Assistant Director, Department of Social Services.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve Budget Ordinance Amendment No. 21BCC0000087 to approve the acceptance of these grant funds.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________