Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin to fund and administer the Homeless Assistance/Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, which provides housing opportunities through subsidies to individuals experiencing homelessness, in an amount not to exceed $1,292,971.
De
Lead Department
Austin Housing Finance Corporation.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $1,292,971 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Housing Finance Corporation Operating Budget.
For More Information:
Rosie Truelove, Treasurer, Austin Housing Finance Corporation, 512-974-3064; James May, Housing and Community Development Officer, Housing Department, 512-974-3192.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
December 8, 2022 - The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) Board approved an 11-month contract with Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) in the amount of $1,264,779.
December 9, 2021 - AHFC Board approved an 11-month contract with HACA in the amount of $1,133,205.
December 10, 2020 - AHFC Board approved a 10-month contract with HACA in the amount of $1,140,849.
September 19, 2019 - AHFC Board approved a one-year contract with HACA in the amount of $626,954.
September 19, 2019 - AHFC Board approved a one-year contract with HACA in the amount of $508,411.
Additional Backup Information:
If approved, AHFC would be authorized to execute a contract with HACA to administer the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). The TBRA program provides rental housing subsidies and security deposits to eligible families who would otherwise be homeless. To be eligible for the program, households must be working towards self-sufficiency with a case manager and have a total household income at or below 50 percent of the Austin area Median Family Income (currently $58,400 for a family of four). The TBRA program will serve all City addresses including those in both the City’s full purpose and extra-territorial jurisdictions.
Families can receive assistance through the TBRA program for up to 24 months. Each household will pay no more than 30 percent of its monthly income towards rent. The TBRA program will pay the difference between what the household can afford and the actual rent amount. As a family's income increases, the amounts paid by the program decrease accordingly. All payments made by the TBRA program are paid directly to the landlord.
HACA has more than 24 years of experience with providing TBRA services. HACA verifies client and property eligibility, manages leasing terms, and makes rental subsidy payments directly to landlords each month. HACA also serves as a liaison between clients and landlords to ensure that landlords understand clients are only eligible for TBRA as long as the household meets regulatory and program requirements. This program will serve up to 100 households.
In 2019, AHFC executed two separate contracts with HACA to administer the TBRA program. One program relied on referrals from the Salvation Army and the other from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) Coordinated Entry (CE) assessment referral system. In 2020, it was determined that these contracts should be combined into one, with referrals coming from ECHO’s CE system, with a continued partnership with organizations such as Salvation Army and Caritas, among others.
Source of Funding
HOME Funds.