Minutes 06/23/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 23, 2020 20 - 165 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Rent and Mortgage Relief Program funds in the amount of $450,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and appropriating said funds to the FY 2020 Grants Fund for use by the Department of Social Services to provide rent and mortgage relief payments. Background:  The Department of Housing and Community Development contacted the Department of Social Services (DSS), as the Lead Agency for the Portsmouth Continuum of Care (CoC) regarding the VA Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP). The RMRP is designed to support and ensure housing stability across the Commonwealth during the Coronavirus pandemic. In addition to stabilizing the housing market, efforts to help individuals and families maintain their housing is in the interest of public health. Through the RMRP, financial assistance will be provided on behalf of households who are experiencing housing instability due to the pandemic. Discussion:  Initial funding is anticipated to be in the amount of $450,000. The grantee will be expected to assist citizens in the prevention of evictions via providing financial support for rent or mortgage payments. Partial funding will be sent to the city by June 29 with the expectation that on that same day, when evictions are again allowed to be filed, households will have a place to turn for assistance. DSS will need to begin processing applications and determining eligibility on June 29, issue payments to the landlords/mortgage lenders, and fulfill the other requirements of this program such as local coordination of efforts and community outreach to courts, legal aid, etc.  DSS currently provides support to citizens for rental and utility payments via grant funds and donations. Financial Impact:  There is no cash match. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance Next Steps Following Council Action:  Finance will make the appropriate budget adjustments Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING RENT AND MORTGAGE RELIEF PROGRAM FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $450,000 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS TO THE FY 2020 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE RENT AND MORTGAGE RELIEF PAYMENTS.” Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None - New Business - 20 - 166 - Items Submitted by Council Members •Adoption of an ordinance confirming and continuing Ordinance 2020-21 adopted on April 14, 2020 and the emergency procedures established thereunder to ensure the continuity of local government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motion by Mr. Clark, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: