|
|
|
 |
|
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Substantial Amendments Comment Period/Public Hearing |
|
Public comments are sought regarding the State of Iowa's proposed plans for funding of homeless programs through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. This public comment period will run through April 30, 2012.
Written comments may be submitted by email to Amber Lewis. Oral comments may also be submitted during a public hearing scheduled on Tuesday, April 24 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Presentation Room of The Iowa Finance Authority located at 2015 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.
Proposed plans are detailed in the 2011 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment and the 2012 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment, both required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in order to continue to access ESG funding under the recently revised federal regulations.
Proposed changes are also included for the state Shelter Assistance Fund (SAF) program. The Iowa Finance Authority welcomes all comments and feedback on the significant changes proposed for ESG and SAF. |
|
Notice of New Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Competitions Opening Soon |
|
The Iowa Finance Authority plans to open new competitions in early May for the federal ESG program. There will be two competitions:
- First, a limited competition for approximately $1 million in federal fiscal year 2011 Phase II funds, which may only support Homelessness Prevention and/or Rapid Rehousing projects.
- Second, a competition for approximately $1 million in federal fiscal year 2012 funds, which may support either of the above or Shelter project types.
Note that the ESG competitions this year will be significantly different from years' past. For example, in 2011, 89 total grants were funded through ESG, and that number is likely to be fewer than 20 grants for the combined total of both the two competitions described above. Instead of holding a combined competition for ESG and the state Shelter Assistance Fund (SAF) program, the Iowa Finance Authority intends to hold the ESG competitions first, followed by a SAF competition this fall for only those agencies that are not funded through ESG.
These changes were prompted by the recent changes in federal ESG regulations. Details regarding the Iowa Finance Authority's proposed plans for these grants can be found in the ESG Substantial Amendments, also referenced in this newsletter.
Because of the timing of the ESG awards from HUD this year, we are developing our competition plans at the same time that we are seeking public comment on the proposed changes--so details are still to come and are subject to change as we move through the process. However, here are some likely highlights:
- For the 2011 funds, a limited competition, with up to five recipients selected, for awards of approximately $200,000 each, representing a coordinated local or regional approach to offering Homelessness Prevention and/or Rapid Rehousing Assistance.
- For the 2012 funds, an approach that seeks to invest in a small number of projects - approximately 10-15 - for deeper impact in targeted areas, and with an emphasis on community partnerships and collaboration.
- Performance outcome measures in both competitions that are focused on the federal HEARTH Act goals - reducing the length of time someone spends homeless, and reducing new and return entries into homelessness.
For more details on the federal ESG program, click here.
|
|
HUD - Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing (VASH) Program |
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a new $72.6 million dollar investment in HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program for public housing agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Iowa, this includes 15 new vouchers in Davenport, for a total allocation of $83,870 this year. To learn more about this funding allocation, click here. |
|
HOPWA 2012 Renewal Grants Announcement |
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced an award of $33 million to renew 3-year agreements with 28 organizations around the country. These organizations had demonstrated exemplary performance in managing HOPWA resources to provide housing/supportive services to people living with HIV/AIDS. These awards were competitive and complemented 135 formula allocations that were issued earlier in the year under the HUD Consolidated plan for $298.8 million.
Additionally, different funding opportunities have been announced to address homelessness and HIV/AIDS:
- The first opportunity, Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV Positive Homeless Populations - Demonstration sites is due May 7, 2012 and the application may be found here.
- The second opportunity, entitled Building a Medical Home for HIV Positive Multiply Diagnosed Homeless Populations Initiatives-Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center is due on May 8, 2012 and the application may be found here.
|
|
JOPPA Homeless Camp Cleanups |
An initiative to clean up Des Moines homeless camps will be held Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-noon and Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 8:30 a.m.-noon. A rain date is scheduled for April 21, 2012. Last year, 400 volunteers picked up over 80,000 pounds of junk and debris--view the video and the before and after photos!
Volunteers are asked to meet at the American Red Cross at 2116 Grand Avenue in Des Moines and bring gloves, boots, sunscreen and bug spray. Also, if anyone could volunteer use of pickup trucks, trailers and wheelbarrows, it would be appreciated! Additional information is available here. |
|
2012 National Conference on Ending Homelessness |
Online registration for the National Alliance to End Homelessness' 2012 National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Washington, DC is now open. This conference will bring together experts to discuss a range of issues, such as re-tooling the homeless crisis response system, rapid re-housing for survivors of domestic violence and ending homelessness for chronic homelessness, veterans, families and youth populations, among many other topics. The conference will be held Monday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 18 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
