DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
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Authorization To Accept Local Homeless Prevention Aid Appropriation From Minnesota Department Of Revenue And Execute Contract Amendments For Prevention Activities
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Local Homeless Prevention Aid (LHPA) was a new funding source that began in July 2023, with the purpose of helping local governments ensure no child is homeless by keeping families from losing housing and helping those experiencing homelessness find housing; and
WHEREAS, funding, which is designated for five years, is distributed to counties, annually, as an allocation from the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDR), with the first allocation on July 20, 2023, in which Dakota County received up to $886,265; and
WHEREAS, after a community planning process to identify priorities, which included individuals from the Affordable Housing Coalition, the Prevention workgroup, school district staff, and school liaisons who work with homeless youth, the following services were identified to be included in Dakota County’s plan for LHPA: 1) Provide services and flexible financial assistance to connect families with the social services necessary to maintain the families' stability in their homes with annual funding designated at $504,837 and 2) Outreach and case management services in schools in Dakota County with annual funding designated at $265,000; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for subcontractors was issued on February 7, 2023, in combination with an RFP for Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program as required by county procurement policies; and
WHEREAS, four responses were received for LHPA of which two agencies, 360 Communities and The Link, were selected to provide services under LHPA; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-279 (June 20, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the Community Services Director to accept the LHPA funds in the amount up to $886,265 from MDR and execute contracts with The Link and 360 Communities for LHPA services, for a combined total not to exceed $769,837; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-163 (March 26, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the Community Services Director to accept additional LHPA funds in the amount of $144,163 from MDR and execute a contract amendment with 360 Communities to add $144,163 for a new not to exceed contract amount of $649,000 for the term, upon execution through June 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, staff learned that MDR is issuing additional allocations, sharing statewide allocations by county.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept additional Local Homeless Prevention Aid funds in the amount up to $1,500,000 from the Minnesota Department of Revenue for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, and accept annual allocations for the remaining three years of the appropriation period through June 30, 2028; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to amend contracts with 360 Communities and The Link for a combined total not to exceed $1,500,000 for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, and amend the contracts for a combined total not to exceed the annual allocation of Local Homeless Prevention Aid funds for the appropriation period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend said contracts, consistent with the amount budgeted, to alter the contracts amount and the contracts term up to one year after extended amendment date, consistent with County contracting policies, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the contracts shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the contracts in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amounts due.
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