Great Lakes Wire

City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Oct 27.

The Grand Rapids City Commission yesterday accepted a $4.63 million grant for homelessness assistance and supportive services. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds are directed for helping the unhoused, those at risk of being unhoused and other vulnerable populations.

Funded activities must benefit qualifying individuals and families and may include projects such as:

• development and support of affordable housing
• tenant-based rental assistance
• supportive services
• acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units

Connie Bohatch, managing director of Community Services, said that before the funding can be obtained, the City must first develop a HOME-ARP allocation plan in consultation with agencies whose clientele includes HOME-ARP qualifying populations.  This will include the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, which serves as the local Continuum of Care; homeless and domestic violence service providers, and other agencies that serve the eligible population. The City intends to have a draft plan completed in December. In January, it will invite the public to review the draft and provide feedback at a public hearing and provide written comments during a 15-day period. Once finalized, the allocation plan will be submitted to HUD as a substantial amendment to the City’s Housing and Community Development Action Plan.

“We are grateful for this funding that will ultimately benefit our unhoused residents and vulnerable populations,” Bohatch said. “It is important that we work with our partners to determine the best and most effective use of these HOME-ARP dollars. The plan will serve as the framework for inviting project applications and making strategic investments to best serve our community.”

HOME-ARP supplemental funding is allocated by formula under the HOME entitlement program. The City’s HOME-ARP award is approximately three times the size of the City’s annual grant award.  The City’s Federal Fiscal Year 2021 HOME allocation is $1,277,660.

Original source can be found here.

Source: City of Grand Rapids