Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 15. 10.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	02/16/2017
Issue: Change in Use for SHIP Program Funded Rental Development at 1835 Summit Boulevard
From:	Tonya Gant
Department:	Neighborhood & Human Svcs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning Change in Use for SHIP Program Funded Rental Development at 1835 Summit Boulevard - Tonya Gant, Neighborhood & Human Services Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning Change in Use for State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Funded Rental Development at 1835 Summit Boulevard:

A. Review the information from ARC Gateway, Inc. (ARC) regarding the change of use of the property at 1835 Summit Boulevard which was rehabilitated utilizing 2014 SHIP funds; and

B. Authorize the County Administrator or Neighborhood Enterprise Division Manager to send a letter to ARC Gateway, Inc., consenting to the continued use of the property at 1835 Summit Boulevard to serve persons with developmental disabilities at or below 50% area median income in a transitional housing setting.

BACKGROUND:

On December 5, 2013, the Board approved the use of 2014 SHIP funds to support rehabilitation of five existing licensed group homes, including one at 1835 Summit Boulevard, owned by ARC Gateway, Inc./Pollak Rehabilitation Center, Inc. to make the units more accessible for its occupants (Exhibit I). This funding specifically met the set asides required by the SHIP Program to assist clients with special needs under F.S. 420.0004, with priority given to those with developmental disabilities. Approximately $19,708 was expended for rehabilitation of the 6 units at 1835 Summit Boulevard. The SHIP Agreement approved by the Board and the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions (Exhibit II) specify that ARC must serve developmentally disabled clients who are at or below 50% area median income. This property was inspected and monitored by the Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) for compliance in June 2016, with closeout of the monitoring in August 2016; the property was in compliance with all SHIP program requirements and the SHIP Agreement with the Board.

ARC Gateway contacted NED to advise that they have been unable to continue to operate the property as a licensed group home due to a lack of referrals from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (Exhibit III). ARC would like to continue to operate the property as a transitional home to support its Arc Gateway Program for Adult Learning and Support (PALS) program, a two year post secondary education program located at Pensacola State College. This program supports adults with disabilities by helping students focus on building career and independent living skills.

NED Staff contacted Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) SHIP program staff to ensure there is no objection to the change. FHFC SHIP staff stated that the change does not cause any issue as long as the agency continues to be in compliance with SHIP statutes and rules and the County's Local Housing Assistance Plan (Exhibit IV). The proposed change from a licensed group home to a transitional housing setting does not necessitate an amendment to the original agreement as the Agreement did not mandate group home licensure. Staff recommends authorizing the County Administrator or NED Division Manager to provide a letter (Exhibit V) to ARC acknowledging the change in licensure of the home and consenting to use of the property as transitional housing in a group setting for developmentally disabled adults provided that ARC continues to meet all terms and conditions of the original Agreement and the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions filed against the property.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

No budgetary impact form this request.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

This request has been reviewed by Stephen West, Assistance County Attorney. There are no legal objections to the request.

PERSONNEL:

This request does not have any effect on County personnel.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

The request from ARC does not require an amendment to the original SHIP Agreement as it does not change the terms or conditions of the Agreement.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) will continue to monitor the subject property for SHIP program compliance.

Attachments
Ex I-BCC Agreement Approval 12-5-13
Ex II-SHIP LURA ARC Gateway
Ex III-Request from ARC Gateway
Ex IV-Written Review from FHFC
Ex V-Draft Ltr to ARC