Item Description:
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Authorization to receive funds from the Pohlad Family Foundation to purchase system modifications for a software tool used to process rent assistance
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners authorizes acceptance of grant from the Pohlad Family Foundation to purchase system modifications for rent assistance software, in the receivable amount of $90,000, and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continuing funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
The Housing Stability Area of the Human Services Department plans to contract with Housing and Development Services, Inc. for the purchase of software to take applications for residents in need of rent assistance. This software will also be used to process the rent assistance applications.
The Pohlad Family Foundation is committed to prevention and ending homelessness in Hennepin County and as such has offered to fund one-time costs to develop the software. The Pohlad Family Foundation will issue a check to Hennepin County and these funds will in turn be paid to the vendor for services under contract.
Housing Stability has developed a plan to coordinate homeless prevention services using a centralized system that will track applications by tenant, store verification documents, and track overall fund distribution.
Impact/Outcomes:
• Reduce the number of people in need of shelter.
• Increase the number of people that can maintain stable housing.
• Provide a more streamlined and expedient process for residents in need of rent assistance.
• Provide a more effective way for Housing Stability to track the rent assistance needs and gaps in our community.
Current Request: Accept this one-time grant of $90,000 from the Pohlad Family Foundation to provide system modifications to rent assistance software.
Disparity Reduction: Data from the Eviction Dashboard shows that people from zip codes with a higher concentration of Black, Indigenous and People of Color have a higher rate of eviction.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval