13. Request for HOME Grant Assistance - Samaritan HouseREPORT TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE:
City of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7700 Fax(406)758-7758
The Honorable Mayor Boharski and City Council
Susan Moyer, Community Development Director
Chris A. Kukulski, City Manager
Samaritan House HOME Grant Application for Tenant Based Rental Assistance
August 20, 2001
BACKGROUND: The City of Kalispell and the Samaritan House jointed ventured in 1998 on a
$1.2+ million expansion of their existing shelter into a new shelter housing men
and women in dorm rooms as well as family -sized shelter apartments; 22 units of
transitional living rentals (2 months to 24 months residency); and 27 units of
permanent living rental units. The expansion of Samaritan House is a model of its
kind in Montana and has since been emulated in two other communities.
Unfortunately, the facility does not begin to cover the needs of individuals and
families in need of permanent housing.
A Tenant Based Rental Assistance Grant would provide first and last month rents
as well as cleaning deposits for low and very -low income individuals and families
not only moving out of Samaritan House but such other shelters such as Salvation
Army or The Abbey (a shelter for abused women and children). Furthermore, the
availability of these funds will provide private sector landlords a greater source of
applicants to select from for their rentals.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff would ask Council to approval the payment of the dollar -match of $10,600
to be gifted to Samaritan House for use in its application to the HOME
PROGRAM for TBR funds. The funds would be provided from the Housing Line
Item in 2880, Community Development Loan Revolving Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $10,600 will provide $212,000 in assistance to low and very -low income
residents who either will reside or work within the City of Kalispell.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by Council.
Respect ly submitted,
Susan Moyer, Director o
Community Development
Chris A. Kukulski,
City Manager
Samaritan House Inc.
PO Box 592
124 — 9th Ave. W.
Kalispell Montana 59901
406-257-5801
July 24, 2001
Susan Moyer
Community Development Director
City of Kalispell
PO Box 1997
Kalispell Montana 59901
Dear Ms. Moyer
Samaritan House Inc. has recently obtained the status of a Community Housing
Development Organization (CHDO). As you are already aware our agency is now
eligible to apply, in its own right, for HOME funds during the fall competition.
Samaritan House will be seeking a grant of $212,000 to assist low-income residents
throughout the County. These funds will provide rental assistance monies to those
persons at or below 60% of median income, with 20% of the funds going to those at 50%
of median income. It is anticipated that the majority of the funds will go to those persons
who are currently homeless and have multiple barriers, e.g., victims of domestic violence,
mentally ill, limited education, life skills, employment skills and those recovering from
substance abuse. Samaritan House will utilize its' Continuum of Care program to
provide case Management that will provide one-on-one assistance to grant recipients to
connect them with resources and referrals to community support systems that fit their
unique needs.
In addition, for those persons who are currently on the Section 8 waiting list and have
identified a housing unit, but who do not have the resources to pay a security deposit,
Samaritan House will work with NW Montana HRDC to provide the security deposit to
enable their clients to obtain housing.
A requirement of the HOME grant application is for Samaritan House to have 5%
matching funds. As a non-profit organization with limited cash reserves this poses an
obstacle for us. I would like to request that the City of Kalispell provide us with
$10,600.00 for our matching funds.
Thank you for your time and consideration with this matter. I look forward to hearing
from you.
Sincerely,
Patti McCubbins, Executive Director