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County Administrator's Report 11. 1.
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| BCC Regular Meeting |
Budget & Finance Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning the Special Needs Housing for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Agreement with ARC Gateway, Inc. - Keith T. Wilkins, Community & Environment Department Director
That the Board take the following action regarding the Special Needs Housing for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Agreement with ARC Gateway, Inc. (ARC), in compliance with targeting provisions stipulated in the 2015 State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program:
A. Approve an Agreement with ARC Gateway, Inc. (ARC), committing a maximum of $289,339 in SHIP Program funds to assist with development of a new six bedroom group home which will allow ARC to provide housing and supportive services for approximately six persons with developmental disabilities;
B. Acknowledge, for the Official Record, that the property on which the group home facility is to be developed will be operated by ARC but will be owned by Pollak Rehabilitation Center, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ARC; and
C. Authorize the Chairman or Vice Chairman to execute the Agreement and the County Administrator to execute other Project-related documents, as may be required, to complete the Project.
[Funding: Fund 120/SHIP, Cost Center 220445] |
| BACKGROUND: |
The Board approved the 2014-2016 Escambia/Pensacola State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan on April 2, 2013, stipulating housing development strategies and projected funding allocations (see Exhibit I for Board resume). During the 2014 session, the Legislature placed targeting requirements upon the use of 2015 SHIP funds, including a 20% set-aside for special needs projects with highest priority being for projects that specifically assist with construction or rehabilitation of housing to enhance the independence and quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.
A public notice of availability of SHIP funds for this targeted purpose was advertised in the Pensacola News Journal on August 2, 2014 (see Exhibit II for notice) per requirements of Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), soliciting proposals from agencies meeting the threshold requirements for the fund allocation. ARC Gateway, Inc. (ARC), a long-standing non-profit provider of housing and services for persons with developmental disabilities in the local community, was the only respondent to the advertisement. ARC submitted a proposal to utilize $289,339 in SHIP funds to acquire property and construct a six bedroom group home on the development site located at 3480 Arizona Avenue (Property Reference #161S290550120008). The facility will provide ARC managed independent living with supportive services for approximately six persons with developmental disabilities. The formal Agreement required to implement the SHIP assisted new construction project has been prepared and is submitted for approval by the Board (see Exhibit III for the Agreement). Stable, accessible housing, with appropriate supportive services through a properly licensed agency such as ARC, is extremely critical to the long-term quality of life and employability of persons with developmental disabilities.
Though operation and services for residents will be provided by ARC, title to the property will be held by Pollak Rehabilitation Center, Inc., a subsidiary of ARC. A deed restriction will be filed on the property which: (a) restricts the use of the group home for a minimum affordability period of 15 years; and (b) provides that, if ARC/Pollak ceases to utilize the group home for this specified purpose during the subject period, the SHIP funds shall become due and repayable to the Escambia/Pensacola SHIP Affordable Housing Trust Fund, unless a mutually agreed upon alternate use is approved by the County. These restrictions ensure the utilization of the units meet applicable SHIP Program requirements. |
| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
| Funds to support this Agreement are budgeted in County FY 2015 in Fund 120/SHIP, Cost Center 220445. |
| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| The Agreement (included in Exhibit III) has been reviewed and approved by Kristin Hual, Assistant County Attorney. ARC has also reviewed and approved the subject document. |
| PERSONNEL: |
| N/A |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| The Agreement must be approved by the Board and executed by the parties in order for the project to proceed. This project directly supports provisions of the Board and FHFC approved Escambia/Pensacola SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan. |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| The Agreement and related project implementation will be managed by the Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) of the Community & Environment Department in conjunction with ARC and the City of Pensacola Housing Department. Long term monitoring requirements associated with SHIP funding will be managed by NED in coordination with the City of Pensacola and ARC. ARC and the City of Pensacola Housing staff are aware of this recommendation and its scheduled consideration by the Board. |
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