TITLE
Title
APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR CITY OF GREENSBORO HOMELESS GRANT OPPORTUNITY
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Sheriff Danny H. Rogers (Capt. Wes Mecham)
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BACKGROUND
Background
The City of Greensboro (“City”) seeks to use its 2024 federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and local Nussbaum Housing Partnership (NHP) funds to address the needs of residents, who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations specify that CDBG funds be used, in combination with other federal, state and local funds, as part of a community-wide system of homelessness services. Under the HEARTH Act, homeless service organizations work closely with other community programs that, taken together, provide an array of housing opportunities intended to prevent and end homelessness for each household in need. HUD, along with the City and its community partners, expects that this system of service will make steady progress toward making homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office (GCSO) Re-Entry/Diversion Program is seeking permission to apply for funding from this City of Greensboro grant opportunity in order to assist persons who are being released from the Greensboro Detention Center, either as part of diversion or after serving their sentence, who are diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or have a substance use disorder. This group of Guilford County citizens are a unique population who are in desperate need of housing assistance. They meet the HUD homelessness definition under 24 CFR 576.2 (iii)(F), which states, "Is exiting a publicly funded institution, or system of care (such as a health care facility, a mental health facility, foster care or other youth facility, or correction program or institution.)"
The GCSO Re-Entry/Diversion Program anticipates serving ten (10) individuals in the upcoming year, ensuring manageable caseloads for adequate support and monitoring of outcomes while it pilots this housing program. Our program proposes to use these additional funds for the purpose of obtaining permanent stable housing for these individuals. Case Managers will obtain swift temporary housing for a week while more permanent housing is sought. The ability to pay rent application fees, security deposits, moving costs, utility deposits, any outstanding utility bills, bus passes for transportation, and rent for up to six (6) months, will give these case managers the tools they need to obtain and maintain stable housing for these individuals. The funds would give this population time to apply for Adult Medicaid and Food & Nutrition Services benefits through Guilford County Department of Social Services (DSS) and allow them time to find a job so they can maintain their apartment after six (6) months. Additionally, it keeps this at risk population connected to medical care and therapy, enabling them to maintain their mental and physical health.
By combining our efforts with these funds targeted towards stabilizing their housing situations, these individuals will finally have the chance to secure and keep permanent housing, reducing the potential for homelessness and recidivism. The GCSO Re-Entry /Diversion Program will be applying for a grant in the amount of $91,930. This application is for a one (1) year request for the time period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Approve the Guilford County Sheriff's Office to apply for grant funding in the amount of $91,930 from the City of Greensboro, which were originally awarded to the City as part of the 2024 federal Community Development Block Grant and local Nussbaum Housing Partnership, for a period of one (1) year beginning July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
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