DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Allocate Local Affordable Housing Aid To Emergency Rental Assistance Services And Amend 2024 Social Services Budget
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, in 2021, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners reconvened the Housing Leadership Workgroup to assess outcomes of the County’s Housing Business Plan and make recommendations for future housing initiatives and investments in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the workgroup was made up of faith leaders, law enforcement, people who have experienced homelessness, nonprofit partners, Dakota County Commissioners, and staff from the Community Services and the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) and the County; and
WHEREAS, the workgroup recommended investments in three main areas to support the next phase of the Dakota County Housing Business Plan: shelter, homelessness prevention, and affordable Housing; and
WHEREAS, staff presented these recommendations to the County Board on October 19, 2021, and returned to the County Board throughout 2022 and 2023 with additional information and further defined recommendations in each of the three investment areas; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 County Budget included initial investments utilizing the new State and Local Affordable Housing Aid, including Emergency Rental Assistance, ApartmentConnect, Prevention and Navigation Services, Family Voucher Program and Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Re-Housing Services; and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2024, staff proposed an expanded set of Affordable Housing Aid investments during a Board Workshop and the County Board requested additional eligible activities that can be launched quickly be brought back for formal consideration; and
WHEREAS, there is an immediate need for Emergency Rental Assistance funding to support the Housing Clinic at Eviction Court and Social Services’ Prevention Services and Navigation Team for prevention assistance prior to an eviction filing; and
WHEREAS, Social Services estimates $6,000,000 of total need for emergency rental assistance and is requesting an additional $1,500,000 for 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Community Service Committee of the Whole recommended 2024 Social Services budget to be amended to add $428,000 of Affordable Housing Aid funds and expenditures and that staff return to the Committee at conclusion of the legislative session to discuss additional needs in 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to allocate $428,000 additional Affordable Housing Aid funds toward emergency rental assistance services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, if awarded, the 2024 Social Services Budget is hereby amended as follows:
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Expense |
|
Emergency Rental Assistance |
$428,000 |
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Total Expense |
$428,000 |
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|
|
Revenue |
|
Affordable Housing Aid |
$428,000 |
|
Total Revenue |
$428,000 |
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