Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of Amendment No. 5 to the agreement with Catholic Charities of Central Texas to help refugee families achieve economic self-sufficiency and housing stability to add one 12-month extension option in an amount not to exceed $100,000, for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $600,000.
De
Lead Department
Homeless Strategy Office.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $100,000 is included in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget.
Prior Council Action:
May 18, 2023 - Council authorized negotiation and execution of Amendment No.4 to the agreement with Catholic Charities of Central Texas, on consent without objection.
June 9, 2022- Council authorized negotiation and execution of Amendment No.3 to the agreement with Catholic Charities of Central Texas, on an 11-0 vote.
May 23, 2019- Council authorized negotiation and execution of the agreement with Catholic Charities of Central Texas, on an 10-0 vote.
For More Information:
David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer, 512-972-7836; Kelechukwu Anyanwu Jr, Program Manager III, 512-972-5136; Estella Kirscht, Administrative Specialist, 512-972-4423.
Additional Backup Information:
This action will authorize Amendment No. 5 to add one 12-month extension option starting July 1, 2024, to the Refugee Homeless Prevention agreement with Catholic Charites, the largest refugee resettlement site in Central Texas. Catholic Charities aids the achievement of economic self-sufficiency and housing stability for refugees by providing financial assistance, case management, and wraparound services. The program has a yearly goal of providing services to 55 unduplicated clients and 22 households. Year to date, the program served 275 unduplicated clients and 110 households. Throughout the course of their contract, Catholic Charities has served 706 unduplicated clients and 209 households. If authorization of Amendment No. 5 is not approved, it will limit the Homeless Strategy Office’s ability to provide refugee homeless prevention services.
Amendment No.4 exercised the third extension option in the amount of $100,000 for the period of July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
Amendment No.3 exercised the second extension option in the amount of $100,000 for the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Amendment No.2 exercised the first extension option in the amount of $100,000 for the period of July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
Amendment No.1 modified program work statement for the period of August 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021.
The original agreement was approved for a term of 23 months ending on June 30, 2021 in an amount not to exceed $200,000, with one 12-month extension option in an amount not to exceed $100,000, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $300,000.
On March 12, 2018, the City’s Commission on Immigrant Affairs passed a recommendation regarding rental assistance resources for refugees. Austin is the largest refugee resettlement site in Central Texas, and many refugees need affordable housing and rental assistance. In response to the recommendation, the Commission met with various City department officials and community agencies to discuss rental assistance resources for refugees living within Austin. Entities participating in this meeting included Housing Authority of the City of Austin (or HACA), Caritas of Austin, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (or ECHO), the Austin Public Health Department, and the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development. The Commission concluded City resources were not adequate to address the needs of refugees in the community.