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County Administrator's Report 12. 11.

BCC Regular Meeting

Budget & Finance Consent

Meeting Date:	12/08/2016
Issue: State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program Housing Counseling Funding
From:	Meredith Reeves
Department:	Neighborhood & Human Svcs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program Housing Counseling Funding - Tonya Gant, Neighborhood & Human Services Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Housing Counseling Funding:

A. Authorize the County Administrator to sign the SHIP Program Housing Counseling Funding Certification and Request Form to request one time funding of $44,018 for housing counseling from Florida Housing Finance Corporation; and

B. Authorize staff to put together a Request for Proposals or Request for Letters of Interest for a HUD approved counseling agency to provide housing counseling.

[Funds: Fund 120, 2017 SHIP, Cost Center 370204]

BACKGROUND:

On November 18, 2016, Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) advised local governments of the availability of funding from National Mortgage Settlement funds allocated to FHFC through the Foreclosure Counseling Program (FCP) to be utilized for housing counseling services. Escambia County is eligible for $44,018 in funds and must submit a Funding Certification and Request form (Exhibit I) to FHFC by December 31, 2016 to receive funds.

In 2013, this funding was originally restricted to help prevent homeowners from going into foreclosure and to provide education to at-risk homeowners. As part of the housing bill passed by the 2016 Legislature and signed by the Governor, language related to the FCP program allows FHFC to expand the types of counseling that can be provided to homeowners and prospective homebuyers. Some of the new activities now eligible under FCP include housing counseling (primarily pre-purchase counseling) via the SHIP Program. This funding may be used for: first time homebuyer counseling, foreclosure prevention counseling, financial coaching, financial management education, and extended financial management.

Staff will initiate a separate RFP or RLI for a HUD approved counseling agency to provide first time homebuyer counseling as associated financial management education.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

This one time funding must be requested from FHFC. Funding will be appropriated in the 2017 SHIP budget through a separate budget amendment.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney, has reviewed and approved the Certification form.

PERSONNEL:

No impact to Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) staff. Staff will intitiate a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Letters of Interest (RLI) from HUD approved agencies for housing counseling services.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

Approval of this recommendation will allow the County access to this one-time funding opportunity.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

NED staff will submit the form to FHFC by the appropriate deadline and assemble a RFP or RLI as appropriate.

Attachments
Ex I-Funding Cert Request Form