AWARD Housing First Community Housing for the
Community Preservation Committee
Recommendation for Funding
Date:
March 19, 2008
Applicant:
Housing First: Community Housing for the Chronically Homeless
Amount of funding requested:
$220,000
Time-frame of request: 2008
Amount of funding recommended by CPC: _$220,000______________
Time-frame of funding recommended: __2008_____________
Summary reasons for recommendation
:
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Moves forward the Housing First Concept: a widely accepted approach to dealing with
homelessness in a particularly vulnerable population.
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Addresses strongly the goals of the Northampton Sustainability Plan and the CPA.
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Provides a long-term solution that is less costly than alternative approaches.
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Leverages CPA funds effectively.
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Has broad-based support.
Conditions/contingencies attached to recommendation:
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Occupancy will be restricted to individuals with incomes at or below 30% of area median
income. Resident selection will be undertaken in accordance with State requirements
associated with its “Housing First” initiatives.
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The CPC must approve the site selected prior to disbursement, in terms of its suitability
for the purposes articulated by the applicant and its financial feasibility, initially and over
time. The applicant must provide the information requested by the CPC (and allow a
reasonable time for the CPC’s review of the information), including (but not limited to)
the following:
a. The Purchase Agreement for the property.
b. Information to document sufficient funding to acquire and develop the property,
including a development budget including the cost of any required renovations, a
commitment by FHCHI to provide $100,000 in cash on hand for acquisition, the
commitment of ServiceNet to cover the cost of any required renovations, and the
commitment of any other funding needed to complete the acquisition and
renovation of the project.
c. Information to document sufficient funding to maintain the operations of the
property after renovations, including a written commitment by ServiceNet to be
responsible for the costs of ongoing maintenance. At the CPC’s request, the
applicant will provide a budget for the first year of operating the project,
including information on anticipated rental income (including from public
sources) and information on anticipated operating expenses.
d. The ongoing Agreement between FHCHI and ServiceNet.
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Use of the structure must be assured to serve homeless individuals with incomes less than
30% of AMI for at least thirty years.
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The CPC’s award may be withdrawn by the CPC, at its discretion, if either of the
following occurs:
a. Within 8 months of the date of award of CPC funds, the applicant has not entered
into a Purchase Agreement for a suitable property; or
b.
Within 12 months of the date of award of CPC funds, the applicant has not met all
the conditions associated with the CPC award, acquired the property, and received
the disbursement of some or all of the CPC funds awarded.
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Procedures for monitoring and reporting shall be worked out among the Committee,
Mayor and the grantee.
Additional comments from committee
:
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Initial portion of allocation to come from CPA funds set aside for Community Housing.