IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee

108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 AGENDA IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, January 14, 2022 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86544854910?pwd=S1FEVkZlWlVWS2tGRlFSdHdKMWk0QT09 I. Call to Order II. Changes/Additions to Agenda III. Public Comment IV. Review of Minutes - November 2021 V. New Business A. Discussion - Committee Member Vacancy B. Discussion - Nels Bohn, IURA Director of Community Development; Draft City Policy on Encampments on City Property VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary B. Staff Report VII. Motion to Adjourn If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate, please contact the CITY OF ITHACA CLERK’S OFFICE at 274-6570 at least 72 business hours prior to the meeting. 108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 DRAFT MINUTES IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) 8:30 am, Friday, November 12, 2021 Virtual Meeting Present: Karl Graham (Chair); Fernando de Aragon (Vice-Chair); Tracy Farrell: Paulette Manos. Excused: Teresa Halpert (resigned). Staff: Anisa Mendizabal, Community Development Planner Guests: Captain Stacy McNeil, Salvation Army of Ithaca I. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. II. Changes/Additions to Agenda Items were shifted to accommodate the guest’s schedule. III. Public Comment None. IV. Review of Minutes - October 8, 2021 Motion by Graham, Second by Manos. 4-0. V. New Business A. Discussion: Captain Stacy McNeil, Salvation Army, Status of Emergency Mortgage Assistance Captain McNeil joined at 8:40 a.m. Salvation Army has been working really hard to find individuals who have suffered loss due to COVID and need mortgage assistance. Working closely with INHS. Received first invoice for family downtown; will be vouchering soon. She finds it exciting that they are being able to reach individuals SA has never had contact with. These folks didn’t have needs before, but this enabled SA to understand what other needs they had-- back utility bills, for example, so SA used FEMA funds to help. SA has reached out to Southside Community Center, CCTT, and own social media. SA’s Christmas Application assistance program will be another form of outreach-- they will ask if people have had any loss due to pandemic. New SA Community Outreach worker coming onboard Monday-- she will work on finding homeowners in need. It’s been harder than SA expected  it to be to reach people. Possibly because people who have not needed assistance before and don’t know how to navigate the assistance network. Some people just need a hand right now; both household members are working, etc. It has been a humbling and important experience, according to McNeil. SA found it surprising that banks and mortgage companies didn’t respond, but again, INHS has been a great resource. B. Action Item - Resolution - Extension for Salvation Army CDBG-CV Emergency Mortgage Assistance Motion by Manos, Second by de Aragon. Discussion ensued about the date of the extension. May 28, 2022 was established as the extension date. Salvation Army CDBG-CV Emergency Assistance Program - Contract Extension WHEREAS, as part of the amended 2019 HUD Entitlement Annual Action Plan for the City of Ithaca, the Salvation Army for “COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program,” specifically for mortgage assistance to LMI homeowners suffering from impacts of the coronavirus global pandemic, and WHEREAS, in a letter dated July 5, 2021 the Salvation Army requested a 120-day extension WHEREAS, the Community Development Director granted a 120-day extension to November 28, 2021, and WHEREAS , the Salvation Army is working with partners and has hired an outreach worker whose duties will include identifying three more LMI homeowners in need, and WHEREAS , in a letter dated November 3, 2021 the Salvation Army requested a further extension of 180 days commencing on November 28, 2021 to May 28, 2022 to expend or return funds, and RESOLVED, that the IURA recommends the City authorize extension to the Salvation Army’s “COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program” to May 28, 2022, RESOLVED, that the IURA Chair is authorized to execute a contract amendment(s) to implement this resolution. Approved 4-0. C. Discussion - Vacancy - Neighborhood Investment Committee Seat ● Material: ○ IURA Board and Committee Structure ○ Link to Application for Committees http://www.cityofithaca.org/339/Boards- Committees Estimate of time requirements might be useful, Graham noted. He will work on that and send it out to members. Farrell suggested that interested candidates come to a meeting-- especially easy with Zoom. Desired skill was discussed. De Aragon suggested seeking a landlord -- Halpert is a member of the Landlord Association and brought useful information and perspective. Someone who stays abreast of community happenings. Former Common Council members like Farrell and Manos bring important experience and insight.  Mendizabal shared about two candidates. Committee Members are encouraged to do outreach to find potential candidates. IURA’s Economic Development Committee also has a vacancy [as does IURA Governance Committee]. Committee Members may send nominations to the Chair and/or IURA Staff to complete follow up such as forwarding application and compiling the pool for the Mayor to consider. VI. Other Business A. IURA Grant Summary Graham noted that many funded organizations have not spent down as much as would be expected at this time. Several were given extensions at the last IURA Board meeting. B. Staff Report ● Material: 2022 AAP Organizational Meeting handout (inserted below) City of Ithaca HUD Entitlement Program 2022 Annual Action Plan Cycle Overview (v. 10-22-2021) The 2022 Action Plan will fund activities in the third program year of the 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan. The 2022 Action Plan will advance the statutory objectives of CDBG and HOME programs and address the goals identified in the 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan. ● Improve & Expand Affordable Housing Options ● Develop Economic & Employment Opportunities ● Remove Barriers to Opportunity ● Strengthen Neighborhoods ● Meet Essential Needs for Food, Shelter and Safety ● Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Overview of Planning Process: See “Proposed 2022 City of Ithaca HUD Entitlement Grant Action Plan Schedule.” The Request for Proposals will be released on December 1, 2021, followed by two Public Engagement/Information Sessions. Applications will be due January 28, 2022 at noon. Applicants are afforded the opportunity to present their proposals to the IURA in a two-part Public Hearing #1 (February 24, 2022 & March 3, 2022). Substantive work for the 2022 Action Plan is to be completed by late April, with anticipated adoption of the Draft Plan by the IURA on April 22, 2022, followed by the 30-day Public Comment Period and Public Hearing #2. Adoption of the 2022 Action Plan by Common Council is anticipated on June 1, 2022. HUD Submission Deadline for 2022 Action Plan: June 15, 2022. (Note: Should HUD be delayed in issuing its FY2022 funding formula allocations, as it was in 2018 and 2019, HUD will grant the City an additional 60 days—or until August 16, 2022—to submit the Action Plan.) Anticipated Response to Request for Applications: Outreach and technical assistance for organizations considering applying for Action Plan funding occurs throughout the Program Year. The type and number of applications anticipated will be discussed at the Organizational Meeting. Considerations: ● CDBG regulations cap funding for Public Service activities at 15% of the jurisdiction’s total CDBG award, except in the case of Public Service activities which include job creation/placement sponsored by a Community-Based Development Organization (CBDO). ● Administrative costs are capped at 20% of total award for CDBG and 10% of total award for HOME. ● HUD closely monitors CDBG spend-down requirements (i.e., May 31 Timeliness Test). ● Some projects or funded activities require more administrative support than others. ● Sponsors of funded activities receive orientation to the vouchering and reporting processes. ● If a funded project does not go forward; funding must be reallocated or returned to HUD.  Snapshot of IURA’s Historic Funding Levels & Activities (rounded to the nearest thousand) Color Codes: Green shading indicates increase over previous year’s award. Red shading indicates decrease. Blue shading is CDBG-CV (COVID- specific). CDBG HOME FUNDED ACTIVITIES PROGRAM CDBG % Change HOME % Change Econ. Public Public TOTA YEAR Award from Prior Award from Prior Housing Admin Developt. Facilities Services L Year Year 2010 $890,000 $574,000 6 1 3 5 2 17 2011 $743,000 ̶ 17% $509,000 ̶ 11% 6 2 2 5 2 17 2012 $703,000 ̶ 5% $487,000 ̶ 4% 4 7 1 4 2 18 2013 $716,000 + 2% $465,000 ̶ 4% 7 4 6 5 2 24 2014 $676,000 ̶ 6% $442,000 ̶ 5% 6 4 1 4 2 17 2015 $672,000 ̶ 0.5% $369,000 ̶ 17% 8 2 1 5 2 18 2016 $661,000 ̶ 2% $330,000 ̶ 11% 8 3 3 5 2 21 2017 $644,000 ̶ 3% $276,000 ̶ 16% 7 5 2 5 3 22 2018 $686,000 + 6% $369,000 + 34% 9 5 3 4 3 24 2019 $688,000 + 0.5% $306,000 ̶ 17 % 5 5 0 6 2 18 2020 $683,000 ̶ 0.83% $335,000 + 8.71% 4 3 3 4 2 16 2020-CV $769,000 n/a n/a n/a 3 0 2 9 2 16 2021 $691,000 + 1.17% $335,000 ̶ 0.02% 8 4 3 4 2 21 Anticipated Funding Levels: Historically, the City has experienced an incrementally declining allocation of CDBG and HOME funding, due in part to the growing number of entitlement communities and changing Federal priorities. More recently, we have seen more volatility (both increases and decreases), instead of a steady decline. To arrive at anticipated levels for the upcoming Program Year, staff consider the average change in both programs over the past 11 years, along with other factors; that said, we anticipate 2022 funding in both entitlement streams to remain relatively level with 2021’s allocations. We project the availability of $132,000 in Program Income. All told, we expect to be able to allocate $1 million in CDBG and HOME funding to meet community needs in 2022. This does not include forthcoming HOME/American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. CDBG: Average 10-year change of – 3% (median change = – 2%) HOME: Average 10-year change of – 6% (median change = – 11%) 2021 Anticipated Award 2021 Actual Award Anticipated Anticipated 2022 Award Available for Projects 2022 Change CDBG $634,000 $683,000 0% $683,000 minus 20% admin = $546,000 HOME $261,000 $335,000 0% $335,000 minus 10% admin = $302,000 Total $895,000 $1,018,000 0% $848,000 The City’s 2022 Action Plan RFP will be distributed at the beginning December 2021 with applications being due at the end of January 2022, a change from recent practice which has been to issue the RFP at the beginning of January with an application deadline at the end of February. The materials provided were distributed at the 2022 HUD Entitlement Action Planning Organizational Meeting that occurred at the IURA Meeting. Mendizabal reported that after the 2022 Organizational Meeting were distributed to the NI Members, Bohn found that there is a proposal before Congress to increase HUD’s 2022 Budget for HOME tenfold. That would represent a significant change but as of this time, there is no further information, so these 2022 Organizational Meeting materials are based on previous funding levels. These materials do NOT include any American Rescue Plan funding, which would be administered through a separate process, not the 2022 Annual Action Plan. The Organizational Meeting materials include a chart illustrating previous funding levels and the number of projects or activities funded. During the pandemic, Ithaca was fortunate to receive CDBG-CV funding, which has supported the sixteen additional projects and activities in addition to the sixteen “regular” Action Plan projects funded in 2020 and 21 “regular” Action Plan projects funded in 2021. It is exciting to be able to fund so many necessary projects in our community. At the same time, all projects, no matter the funding stream and the size of award to each project, require the same level of documentation for HUD, including contracts, legal review, voucher and programmatic review, reimbursements, accounting oversight, and so on. She noted that the forthcoming ARP funding will also fund additional projects which will require the same level of administration on and monitoring. It has been a priority of IURA to reach out to new applicants and seek out projects that have not been tried before. IURA also been open to funding small projects (i.e. less than $20,000 awards). All of this is to say that capacity considerations arise, as the greater the volume of projects moving through the City’s HUD Entitlement pipeline has created some bottlenecks. One option for relieving bottlenecks is to fund fewer projects at higher amounts rather than more projects at smaller amounts. De Aragon asked whether there is the possibility of increasing staff capacity if the program “grows” (if the City’s HUD Entitlement Awards are significantly higher than before). Mendizabal stated that IURA had recently decided to bring on an independent contractor to assist with minutes for the Economic Development and Governance Committees, because the very busy Contracts Monitor does those minutes in addition to IURA Minutes. This is intended to relieve the Contracts Monitor to focus on more critical tasks such as contract development and monitoring for compliance. However, that independent contractor has yet been identified. De Aragon noted that if the amount of HOME funding were even doubled that would tax current staff capacity and he would include increasing staff or independent contractors as needed. Graham noted that during times of declining funding-- which was the previous trend in HUD allocations-- that the concern had been trying to maintain staff levels as they currently are. Mendizabal noted that in recent years HUD Entitlement Administration lines (20% of total CDBG award and 10% for HOME) were not sufficient for fully funding IURA Staff for a year. Graham asked whether the CoC has noted an increase in the homeless population. Last month’s guest Liddy Bargar explained that the Coordinated Entry system includes all unhoused people who want to engage in looking for housing and Street Outreach Workers let people know about options and “keep the door open” for those who aren’t ready. Mendizabal can circle back to Bargar for any information she has on the uptick of people who are unhoused and not engaged. Nationwide trends to indicate an overall increase across the board in people being unhoused and living outdoors. The NYS Cold Weather Policy (“Code Blue”) will be starting. It provides for hotel/motel rooms on nights that are 32 degrees or lower. Curiously, at the last CoC meeting, Marti Gold of DSS reported that the State had not provided details on the operation of that project this year. Farrell wondered if homelessness may be more “visible” as unhoused people have had to move away from certain areas -- such as the new DPW de-watering site-- that are less in public view. The Mayor’s Task Force on the 300 Block (“Uses and Spaces 25/7”) is underway. Task Force members have requested the Mayor appoint someone who is either a tenant or a property owner on the block and someone with lived experience to the Task Force. Mendizabal noted that she reached out to Lisa Horn Consulting, which is working on the CoC’s Strategic Plan, at Farrell’s suggestion. Mendizabal reported that Ward 1 Alderperson Cynthia Brock has convened a group of West End constituents (including residents, businesses, and service providers) to discuss issues specific to the West End. Graham reported that Alderperson Brock had convened such a group in 2019-- it may be a continuation of that. The flooding situation at the Hangar Theater was discussed, as was ArtHaus’ opening. VII. Motion to Adjourn The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:38 a.m. Draft for Discussion City of Ithaca, NY Proposed Policy – Response to Encampments on City Property The City seeks to align its policy regarding encampments with the Ithaca/Tompkins County Continuum of Care (CoC) plans and policies to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing and needed services to set them on a quick path to permanent and stable housing. The CoC believes: 1. Homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. 2. Homelessness is not a crime. Everyone experiencing unsheltered homelessness is deserving of being treated with dignity and respect in accordance with their rights. 3. Homelessness is entwined in larger societal issues, including a history of systemic discrimination against non-white persons. 4. A ‘Housing First’ approach, where there are no preconditions to access housing and services, is essential to successfully address unsheltered homelessness. Encampments represent a failure to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Encampments do not provide safe, healthy, or secure living environments, particularly for those staying within an encampment. At best, encampments should be viewed as a temporary stop on a pathway to needed services to gain stable housing. For the City policy to support the CoC, it is important to understand the scope of homelessness and the resources available to assist persons experiencing homelessness through the CoC. Snapshot Count of Homeless Population On a biannual basis in January, each community conducts a Point-in-Time (PIT) count of the homeless population, both sheltered and unsheltered. The most recent PIT was conducted in 2020 when 133 persons were experiencing homelessness of which 25% were unsheltered persons. The count omits persons who secure temporary sleeping accommodations during only the coldest nights of the year, persons who do not want to be identified, and youth and others who you are “couch surfing.” Black, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color (BIPOC) disproportionately experience homelessness at 32% of all sheltered and unsheltered homeless population, though 88% of the unsheltered persons were white in the 2020 PIT. Unsheltered homeless persons reported extremely high incidence of substance use disorders (79%) and/or mental health illness (65%). Takeaways: POC experience homelessness at an elevated level disproportionate to their population in the community. Most of the unsheltered homeless population have a substance use disorder and/or mental health illness. Page 1 of 6 Annual Population in Homeless Response System In 2020, almost 600 unduplicated persons entered the emergency shelter database, of which over 350 people were experiencing homelessness for the first time. About 450 persons exited the shelter with positive outcomes. Over 200 persons had successful exits to permanent housing. 92% of persons who secured permanent supportive housing upon exit from the emergency shelter successfully retained housing or exited to other permanent housing in 2020. A sizable number exit the system with unknown outcomes. Unsheltered persons who do not seek emergency shelter services during the year are excluded from this database. Takeaways: The local homeless response system works for many, but not all, persons to set them on a path to permanent and stable housing. Linking persons with permanent supportive housing was the most effective means to exit homelessness to stable housing without a return to homelessness. The Local Homeless Response System The local CoC homeless response system includes the following components operated by over a dozen separate agencies in a collaborative arrangement: - Outreach - Emergency Shelter (29 year-round beds, 16 seasonal beds, 40 overflow off-site) - Coordinated Assessment (prioritizes housing placement for most vulnerable persons) - Day Center (i.e., Samaritan Center) - Rapid Rehousing (42 beds) - Transitional Housing (23 beds) - Permanent Supportive Housing (113 beds) - Other Permanent Housing (28 beds) - Case management, including tenant supportive services - Data Collection (HMIS) There is no formal role for encampments in the local homeless response system, yet they exist in multiple locations on City property. While several of the above shelter and housing options provide access to persons with substance use disorders, none explicitly allow on-premises use of drugs or alcohol. Encampment Management Options Unregulated encampments are unhealthy for its residents, harm the environment, and adversely impact the surrounding community. Resident health and hygiene are at risk when encampment conditions lack bathrooms, handwash facilities, potable water, and safe ways to cook and store food. Inadequate human waste disposal negatively impacts nearby waterways and burning of plastics creates hazardous air pollution. Abandoned encampments leave behind massive amounts of garbage and discarded materials despoiling natural areas. Heating and cooking fuels can become out of control and start fires that spread. In the first 11 months of 2021, the Ithaca Fire Department responded to 31 service calls to Page 2 of 6 extinguish fires associated with encampments. Encampments located near entrances to businesses can deter customers and threaten business viability. Outdoor fires and late-night noise near residential neighborhoods disrupt the quality of life in those neighborhoods. Finally, the presence of encampments can interfere with community use or maintenance of public resources. There are four major approaches to managing encampments: 1. Clearance with little or no support to occupants 2. Clearance with support to occupants 3. Tacit acceptance 4. Formal sanctioned encampments To date, the City has primarily followed a tacit acceptance approach consistent with a harm reduction model, as clearance can lead to negative outcomes for provision of coordinated services, trust, trauma of occupants, and no resolution of the problem as occupants relocate to alternative locations. There are no formal sanctioned encampments in the City. The City-owned former Southwest Park site located at the end of Fairgrounds Memorial Parkway has hosted many encampments in the past 10 years. This area continues to be an area where the City has prioritized harm reduction over enforcement of trespass, open fire restrictions, and building codes. On rare occasions the City has cleared encampments with advance warning and support to occupants. The so-called ‘Jungle 1’, located between Taber Street and Cecil A. Malone was cleared several years ago and vegetation mowed to open sight lines. This area has been re-occupied by over a half-dozen scattered urban campers. Encampments in this highly visible area has raised the profile of the unsheltered homelessness issue. In 2019, encampments in the former Southwest Park were removed by NYS contractors to construct the 10+ acre dewatering facility. Most campers shifted the locations of their encampments elsewhere in the same vicinity. In 2021, campers relocated away from the Cherry Street extension area after four months of advance notice was provided that camps would be removed in April. This area was repopulated during the summer, but now contains no encampments. The City Department of Public Works has constructed an accessway for first responders to access this area to facilitate enforcement of the ban on urban camping at this location adjacent to the future Black Diamond Trail along the Flood Control Channel. Why Are There Encampments? As identified previously, encampments are an outshoot of the housing crisis coupled with poverty, mental illness, addiction to substances, and racial inequity, and represent a shortcoming in the community’s homeless response system even though the system works well to connect most people experiencing homeless with services and housing. Persons experiencing homelessness make pragmatic choices about where to stay based on comparison among the best available alternatives, given an individual’s circumstances at a point in time. There are several reasons why a person may not access the emergency shelter or other elements of the homeless response system. Page 3 of 6 Legal and regulatory requirements create barriers for subgroups of persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Certain registered sex offenders are ineligible for certain governmental services, so the homeless response system may offer limited benefits to them. Registered sex offenders face an effective barrier to entry to government supported housings. Similarly, a person sanctioned for noncompliance with DSS programmatic requirements may be ineligible for assistance for a period of time until the sanction expires. Currently, a person with a substance use disorder who cannot abstain from on-premises use of drugs/alcohol currently lacks housing choices within the local homeless response system. For others, the choice to remain unsheltered represents the least bad choice. People weigh the disadvantages of shelter against tolerance for the difficulties of staying in an unsheltered location when the shelter offered: - requires separation from a pet - requires abandoning some or most of their personal possessions - strictly controls entry/exit times that don’t match their daily routines - is distantly located or inhospitable - interferes with access and use of illegal substances - conflicts with their sense of autonomy and privacy The City recognizes that the homeless response system does not currently offer reasonable access to all persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness. By implication, the City acknowledges a need to accommodate a limited number of temporary encampments somewhere in the community until the homeless response system can be expanded to address several of the above legal, regulatory, and practical barriers. City Policy Regarding Encampments Encampments are just the most visible reminder of the housing affordability crisis where housing costs exceed 50% of a household’s income for 44% of the City’s residents. Encampments cannot be successfully managed in isolation of the overall homeless problem and the local homeless response system. Rather, unsheltered homelessness is best addressed through collaboration with community partners to make enhancements to the local homeless response system. The City is a major property owner of undeveloped land which is used without permission by 20-40 unsheltered homeless persons at any single time for camping and erection of temporary structures for transient occupancy. The key land use policy concern regarding encampments is to balance the needs of the community with the needs of residents experiencing unsheltered homelessness. This objective is best satisfied by reducing the total number of urban campers and encampment locations and minimize the adverse impact of remaining encampments. Reducing the number of unsheltered homeless persons will require further investment in the homeless response system to create alternative housing options accessible to persons residing in encampments. Managing the adverse impacts of encampments is best achieved by directing temporary encampments away from sensitive areas and accommodating them on an interim basis at a limited number of areas that are less sensitive and where services can be provided to promote safe and sanitary living conditions for camp residents and the broader community. Page 4 of 6 The City’s approach to enforcement against encampments on City land should be strategic and guided by realistic understanding of the political will, cost, and resources needed for enforcement and clearance. Moreover, an area cleared is often reestablished as an encampment location within a few months without vigilance. It is unwise to adopt a policy that will not be enforced on the ground. Managing encampments is resource intensive and requires a skill set that the City lacks as it does not provide social services or operate any residential or camping facilities. Even clearing encampments with provision of supportive services to occupants stresses City resources as DPW is not trained to address biohazards and other conditions found at encampments, discern between valuable possessions and abandoned junk, and facilitate relocation and storage of personal possessions. Clearing encampments often just leads to dispersion of campers to new locations that just restarts the entire process. All told, a wiser use of City resources whenever possible is to invest in community-based solutions to expand low- barrier shelter beds available on terms acceptable to those occupying encampments. Much of the City’s objective regarding encampments can be achieved by clearly communicating directly with persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness, outreach workers, City and County staff, and community partner agencies, which locations are low-priority for enforcement and which areas are high-priority for enforcement. Undoubtedly, it will be important to back up the policy on the ground to relocate campers away from agreed-upon high-sensitivity areas after sufficient notice and with support. City-owned high-sensitive areas to be prioritized for enforcement against encampments include: 1. public parks, designated natural areas, The Commons, and areas targeted for redevelopment, such as the Cherry Street Extension area and publicly owned land on Inlet Island; 2. locations near homes, schools, daycare centers, the main entrance to businesses, recreation trails such as the Cayuga Waterfront Trail and the Black Diamond Trail; 3. waterfront areas where sanitary facilities are not available; 4. areas that interfere with municipal operations and maintenance; 5. camping that interferes with public use of City lands; and 6. areas posted against trespass. The former Southwest Park area behind Walmart and Lowe’s is designated as low-sensitivity area where enforcement against encampments will not be prioritized until realistic housing alternatives are available to be offered to persons living in an unsheltered encampment. Actions on encampments should focus initially on mitigating negative impacts related to public safety, public health, environmental protection, and removing obstructions to intended public use or maintenance. The use of an encampment advocacy agency to work in collaboration with encampment residents and the City to mitigate concerns is encouraged. Such an encampment advocacy agency could be a non-profit agency, an advocacy group, a faith-based organization, or a grassroots collaborative that has gained the trust of encamped persons to interact with the City on their behalf. For instance, a small encampment may have no means to manage hygiene or trash removal, leading to complaints and concerns about human waste and vermin. An encampment advocacy agency may provide a portable bathroom and handwashing facility near the encampment and arrange for periodic waste removal. The City could elect to provide garbage tags to an encampment advocacy agency as a means to minimize city effort and cost of cleanup when the encampment is abandoned. Page 5 of 6 Strengthening the Homeless Response System The City will work with community partners to strengthen the homeless response system to improve its effectiveness to connect people and with safe, stable housing, with a special focus on providing realistic alternatives to homeless encampments. Currently, there are gaps in the continuum of housing to serve persons with substance use disorders on a ‘housing first’ model. Registered sex offenders appear to have few options to access permanent housing. Other needs appear to exist for an emergency shelter to serve a youth population, an expanded day center, and permanent affordable housing. The City and County have a unique opportunity to strategically invest American Recovery Plan (ARP) funding in facilities and services to improve the homeless response system. In 2021, the City received a HOME-ARP allocation of $1.2 million targeted to reduce homelessness. The County can likely access a similar level of HOME-ARP funds awarded to, and administered by, New York State. Both the City and County also received significant one-time Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds that are eligible to address homelessness. The City can also further offer City lands currently used for encampments as a location for new housing targeted to unsheltered homeless persons. One approach to consider is for the City and County to jointly issue a Request For Expression of Interest (RFEI) to explore what organizations are interested to construct and operate housing facilities if land and financial support were offered. Discussion Questions What specific enhancements to the homeless response system would reduce the population of unsheltered homeless persons? What are the major barriers to unsheltered persons entering the ES? What specific services and/or facilities would minimize the impact of encampments? What areas should be identified as low-sensitivity areas where enforcement against encampments is a low priority? What should be the County’s role in encampments? How should clearance of encampments be implemented? Who should be involved? What supports should be provided? Prepared by N. Bohn, Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency Email comments to nbohn@cityofithaca.org Page 6 of 6  Please note this schedule is subject to change without advance notice. 2022 CITY OF ITHACA HUD ENTITLEMENT GRANT ― Action Plan Schedule ― All meetings will be virtual meetings conducted on and due to COVID-19 pandemic. Check City of Ithaca’s online Agenda Center (www.cityofithaca.org/agendacenter) and Calendar (www.cityofithaca.org/calendar.aspx) for detailed instructions. MILESTONE DATE/LOCATION Organizational Meeting 8:30 A.M., Thursday, October 28, 2021, IURA Meeting CALL FOR FUNDING PROPOSALS ISSUED DECEMBER 1, 2021 5:00-6:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021 PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT VIRTUAL MEETING #1 Zoom Virtual Platform – link at: www.IthacaURA.org 12:00-1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 9, 2021 PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT VIRTUAL MEETING #2 Zoom Virtual Platform – link at: www.IthacaURA.org 12:00-1:00 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2021 PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT VIRTUAL MEETING #3 Zoom Virtual Platform – link at: www.IthacaURA.org 12:00-1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 18, 2021 PUBLIC INFORMATION & INPUT VIRTUAL MEETING #4 Zoom Virtual Platform – link at: www.IthacaURA.org Contact Anisa Mendizabal for availability: CONSULTATION & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (BY REQUEST) amendizabal@cityofithaca.org or (213) 220-3522 (cell) FUNDING APPLICATIONS DUE: NOON, MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2022 Economic Development Committee Meeting #1 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, February 8, 2022 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting #1 8:30 A.M., Friday, February 11, 2022 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting #2 8:30 A.M., Friday, February 18, 2022 IURA MEETING #1 ― PUBLIC HEARING #1 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, February 24, 2022 IURA MEETING #2 ― PUBLIC HEARING #1 (CONT.) 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 3, 2022 Neighborhood Investment Committee Meeting #3 8:30 A.M., Friday, March 11, 2022 Economic Development Committee Meeting #2 3:30 P.M., Tuesday, March 8, 2022 IURA MEETING #3 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 24, 2022 IURA MEETING #4 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 31, 2022 IURA Adoption of Draft Action Plan 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 31, 2022 Draft Action Plan Available for 30-Day Public Comment Period 12:00 P.M., Friday, April 29, 2022 (narrative) PUBLIC HEARING #2 ― Planning & Economic Development 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Committee of Common Council Close 30-Day Comment Period on Draft Action Plan 5:00 P.M., Monday, May 30, 2022 Common Council Approves Action Plan 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 1, 2022 Submit Action Plan to HUD June 2, 2022 Last Updated: 12/1/21  ON IURA Grants Summary PROGRAM TRANSFERS TRANSFERS TOTAL Entitle. Funds PI TOTAL # SCHEDULE HUD ENTITLEMENT ACTIVITIES SPONSOR December 2021 BUDGET INCOME IN OUT BUDGET EXPENDED UNEXPENDED UNEXPENDED UNEXPENDED % SPENT 2019 CDBG Activities 6022 complete 1.0 Homeowner Rehab7 INHS 67,594.32 0.00 0.00 601.95 67,594.32 67,594.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6023 complete 2.0 Small Repair Program INHS 21,110.00 0.00 11,390.00 0.00 32,500.00 32,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6024 complete 6.0 Finger LakesReUse Job Skills Training Finger Lakes ReUse 95,529.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 95,529.00 95,529.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6025 complete 7.0 Work Preserve Job Training Historic Ithaca 67,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 67,500.00 67,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6026 ok 8.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 110,725.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 110,725.28 108,017.27 2,708.01 0.00 2,708.01 98% 6027 complete 9.0 Ithaca ReUse Center Acquisition Finger Lakes ReUse, Inc. 100,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100,000.00 100,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6028 complete 10.0 Economic Development Loan Fund IURA 0.00 107,000.00 396.99 0.00 107,396.99 107,396.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6029 ok 11.0 Black Girl Alchemists Public Art Mosaic CAP 7,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7,500.00 6,096.42 1,403.58 0.00 1,403.58 81% 6030 complete 12.0 Housing For School Success Beverly J. Martin Elem 15,700.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,700.00 15,700.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6031 complete 13.0 2-1-1 Human Svces. Coalition 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 0.00 15,000.00 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6032 complete 14.0 Work Preserve: Job Readiness9 Historic Ithaca 20,000.00 2,599.00 0.00 2,599.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6033 complete 15.0 A Place To Stay Catholic Charities 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6034 complete 16.0 Immigrant Services Catholic Charities 25,059.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25,059.00 25,059.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6035 complete 17.0 CDBG Admin IURA 137,679.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 137,679.40 137,679.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 2019 CDBG Unallocated9, 6, 7 IURA 0.00 0.00 3,200.95 2,599.00 601.95 0.00 601.95 0.00 601.95 N/A Total 688,397.00 109,599.00 29,987.94 5,799.95 822,785.94 818,072.40 4,713.54 0.00 4,713.54 99% 2019 HOME Activities 8011 complete 1.0 Homeowner Rehab17 INHS 42,151.58 10,370.40 0.00 10,370.40 42,151.58 42,151.58 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 8012 ok 3.0 Founders Way Rental INHS 98,668.22 0.00 101,231.78 0.00 199,900.00 168,851.59 31,048.41 0.00 31,048.41 84% 8013 complete 4.0 Housing Scholarship Program The Learning Web 70,560.00 3,230.50 0.00 3,230.50 70,560.00 70,560.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 8014 ok 5.0 Security Deposit Assistance-Vulnerable Households3, 11, 18 Catholic Charities 63,995.00 3,637.00 5.00 3,637.00 64,000.00 61,575.30 2,424.70 0.00 2,424.70 96% 8015 complete 18.0 HOME Admin IURA 30,597.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 30,597.20 30,597.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% complete Home Admin (PI)10 IURA 0.00 849.10 0.00 0.00 849.10 849.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 2019 HOME Unallocated3, 11, 17, 18 0.00 0.00 17,237.90 5,181.50 17,237.90 5,181.50 12,056.40 0.00 12,056.40 N/A Total 305,972.00 18,087.00 118,474.68 22,419.40 425,295.78 373,735.67 45,529.51 0.00 45,529.51 89% 2019 CDBG-CV Activities ok 10.0 CD-RLF #46: COVID-19 Emergency SBRF AFCU 0.00 140,000.00 0.00 0.00 140,000.00 110,800.00 0.00 29,200.00 29,200.00 79% 6039 ok 19.0 Emergency Rental Assistance Program INHS 190,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 190,000.00 189,525.00 475.00 0.00 475.00 99.75% 6040 ok 20.0 CDBG-CV Admin IURA 153,892.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 153,892.20 81,338.89 72,553.31 0.00 72,553.31 53% 6041 ok 21.0 Laundry & Internet Needs During COVID-19 OAR of Tompkins Co. 11,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11,000.00 8,520.85 2,479.15 0.00 2,479.15 77% 6042 ok 22.0 Ithaca CARES About Re-opening Child Care Child Develop. Council 10,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 7,597.52 2,402.48 0.00 2,402.48 76% 6043 ok 23.0 Aid for Immigrants During COVID-19 Catholic Charities 10,879.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,879.00 10,865.92 13.08 0.00 13.08 99.8% 6044 complete 24.0 DICC Child Care Center Re-Opening Assistance DICC 25,600.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25,600.00 25,600.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6045 No 25.0 COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program The Salvation Army 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0% 6046 ok 26.0 COVID-19 Testing for Vulnerable Populations The REACH Project 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 17,769.68 2,230.32 0.00 2,230.32 89% 6047 ok 27.0 Security Deposits for Safer Housing Catholic Charities 25,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25,000.00 16,771.00 8,229.00 0.00 8,229.00 67% 6081 ok 28.0 On Call Office Subdivision Advocacy Center 5,720.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,720.00 0.00 5,720.00 0.00 5,720.00 0% 6082 ok 29.0 Health & Wellness: Smoothies, Food Services & Yoga Black Hands Universal 18,001.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 18,001.60 0.00 18,001.60 0.00 18,001.60 0% 6083 ok 30.0 Online Market Discounts for LMI/SNAP Customers Ithaca Farmer's Market 19,068.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 19,068.00 0.00 19,068.00 0.00 19,068.00 0% 6084 ok 31.0 HVAC Upgrade St.John's Comm. Svces. 20,300.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,300.00 0.00 20,300.00 0.00 20,300.00 0% 6085 ok 32.0 GIAC Youth Programming GIAC 175,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 175,000.00 0.00 175,000.00 0.00 175,000.00 0% 6086 ok 33.0 Community Outreach Worker City of Ithaca 65,000.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 65,000.20 0.00 65,000.20 0.00 65,000.20 0% Total 769,461.00 140,000.00 0.00 0.00 909,461.00 468,788.86 411,472.14 29,200.00 440,672.14 52% 2020 CDBG Activities 6050 ok 1.0 Small Repair Program INHS 32,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 32,500.00 0.00 32,500.00 0.00 32,500.00 0% 6051 ok 2.0 Founder's Way For-Sale Townhomes INHS 27,555.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 27,555.84 0.00 27,555.84 0.00 27,555.84 0% 6052 complete 4.0a Security Deposit Asst Delivery Catholic Charities 2,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6053 ok 5.0 ReUse Job Skills Training & Employment Connections Finger Lakes ReUSe 75,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 75,000.00 0.00 75,000.00 0.00 75,000.00 0% 6054 ok 6.0 Work Preserve Job Training Historic Ithaca, Inc. 67,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 67,500.00 33,528.78 33,971.22 0.00 33,971.22 50% 6055 ok 7.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 75,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 75,000.00 0.00 75,000.00 0.00 75,000.00 0% 6056 ok 8.0 Reimagining Ithaca Community Gardens Project Growing Hope 25,150.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 25,150.00 0.00 25,150.00 0.00 25,150.00 0% 6057 complete 9.0 Food Pantry Mechanical Dock Leveler TCA 14,470.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14,470.00 14,470.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6058 complete 10.0 ADA Curb Ramps at West Village/Elm St Bus Stop IURA 11,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11,000.00 11,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6059 ok 11.00 GO ITHACA Low-Income Support Ctr. For Comm. Transport. 12,200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,200.00 0.00 12,200.00 0.00 12,200.00 0% 6060 complete 12.0 2-1-15 Human Svces. Coalition 17,392.15 0.00 2,607.85 20,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100% 6061 ok 13.0 Work Preserve: Job Readiness20 Historic Ithaca, Inc. 20,000.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 20,000.00 9,089.59 10,910.41 0.00 10,910.41 45% 6062 ok 14.0 Immigrant Services Program Catholic Charities 30,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 30,000.00 20,000.00 10,000.00 0.00 10,000.00 67% 6063 ok 15.0 2020 CDBG Admin13, 16 IURA 136,524.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 136,524.00 133,693.59 2,830.41 0.00 2,830.41 98% ok Economic Development Loan Fund12, 16 IURA 135,828.01 120,000.00 0.00 0.00 255,828.01 100,000.00 85,641.06 70,186.95 155,828.01 39% 2020 CDBG Unallocated20 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 N/A Total 682,620.00 120,000.00 2,607.87 0.01 805,227.86 344,281.96 390,758.95 70,186.95 460,945.90 43% 2020 HOME Activities 8018 ok 2.0 Founder's Way For-Sale Townhomes12, 15 INHS 172,344.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 172,344.16 0.00 172,344.16 0.00 172,344.16 0% 8019 ok 3.0 Northside Apartments Cayuga Housing Dev Corp 90,877.94 0.00 0.00 0.00 90,877.94 0.00 90,877.94 0.00 90,877.94 0% 8020 ok 4.0 Security Deposit Asst For Vulnerable Households4, 12, 15, 19 Catholic Charities 38,333.60 1,459.00 38,082.88 1,459.00 76,416.48 10,756.00 65,660.48 0.00 65,660.48 14% 8021 ok 16.0 2020 HOME Admin13 IURA 33,509.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 33,509.90 33,447.80 62.10 0.00 62.10 99.81% 2020 Home Unallocated12, 15, 19 0.00 0.00 1,492.40 33.40 1,459.00 0.00 1,459.00 0.00 1,459.00 N/A Total 335,065.60 1,459.00 39,575.28 1,492.40 374,607.48 44,203.80 330,403.68 0.00 330,403.68 12% 2021 HOME Activities 8023 ok 24.0 HOME-ARP Admin IURA 60,596.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 60,596.45 3,152.52 57,443.93 0.00 57,443.93 5% Total 60,596.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 60,596.45 3,152.52 57,443.93 0.00 57,443.93 5% 2021 CDBG Activities 6067 ok 2.0 Homeowner Rehab INHS 42,850.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 42,850.00 0.00 42,850.00 0.00 42,850.00 0% 6068 ok 3.0 Minor Repair Program INHS 33,475.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33,475.00 0.00 33,475.00 0.00 33,475.00 0% 6069 ok 7.0a Security Deposit Asst Delivery Catholic Charities 2,500.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,500.00 0.00 2,500.00 0.00 2,500.00 0% 6070 ok 8.0 ReUse Job Training for Career Pathways Finger Lakes ReUse 98,025.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 98,025.60 0.00 98,025.60 0.00 98,025.60 0% 6071 ok 9.0 Work Preserve Job Training6 Historic Ithaca, Inc. 56,840.74 0.00 10,659.26 0.00 67,500.00 0.00 67,500.00 0.00 67,500.00 0% 6072 ok 10.0 Hospitality Employment Training Program GIAC 100,643.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 100,643.06 0.00 100,643.06 0.00 100,643.06 0% 6073 ok 11.0 Great Neighbor & Essential Resource Ithaca Comm. Gardens 41,200.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 41,200.00 0.00 41,200.00 0.00 41,200.00 0% 6074 ok 12.0 Urban Bus Stop Upgrade Project TCAT 17,100.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 17,100.00 0.00 17,100.00 0.00 17,100.00 0% 6075 ok 13.0 New Gym Renovations GIAC 100,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 100,000.00 0.00 100,000.00 0.00 100,000.00 0% 6076 ok 14.0 2-1-16 Human Services Coalition 5,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 0.00 25,000.00 0% 6077 ok 15.0 Work Preserve: Job Readiness Historic Ithaca, Inc. 20,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 0% 6078 ok 16.0 Immigrant Services Program6 Catholic Charities 20,000.00 0.00 10,000.00 0.00 30,000.00 0.00 30,000.00 0.00 30,000.00 0% 6079 ok 17.0 A Place to Stay Catholic Charities 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 0.00 15,000.00 0.00 15,000.00 0% 6080 ok 22.0 2021 CDBG Admin IURA 138,158.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 138,158.60 0.00 138,158.60 0.00 138,158.60 0% ok Economic Development Loan Fund IURA 0.00 160,000.00 0.00 0.00 160,000.00 0.00 0.00 160,000.00 160,000.00 0% Total 690,793.00 160,000.00 40,659.26 0.00 891,452.26 0.00 731,452.26 160,000.00 891,452.26 0% 2021 HOME Activities 8026 ok 1.0 110 Auburn Street Homeowner Project INHS 24,999.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 24,999.00 0.00 24,999.00 0.00 24,999.00 0% 8027 ok 2.0 Homeowner Rehab INHS 57,170.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 57,170.80 0.00 57,170.80 0.00 57,170.80 0% 8028 ok 5.0 511 S. Plain Street For-Sale Duplex INHS 77,850.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 77,850.00 0.00 77,850.00 0.00 77,850.00 0% 8029 ok 6.0 Housing Scholarship Program2 The Learning Web 67,223.70 0.00 8,376.30 0.00 75,600.00 0.00 75,600.00 0.00 75,600.00 0% 8030 ok Security Deposit Asst for Vunerable Households Catholic Charities 74,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 74,000.00 0.00 74,000.00 0.00 74,000.00 0% 8031 ok 23.0 2021 HOME Admin IURA 33,471.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 33,471.50 0.00 33,471.50 0.00 33,471.50 0% Total 334,715.00 0.00 8,376.30 0.00 343,091.30 0.00 343,091.30 0.00 343,091.30 0% Total Unexpended Funds Unexpended CDBG Entitlement Funds (Excludes CDBG-CV Funds) 1,126,924.75 Unexpended CDBG Program Income Committed to Action Plan Activities 230,186.95 CDBG Revolving Loan Fund Balance (#02 Bank Balance excluding interest) 188,949.04 Unexpended HOME Entitlement Funds 776,468.42 Unexpended HOME Program Income 0.00 HOME Program Income Unassigned 0.00 Total Unexpended HUD Funds 2,092,342.21 Unexpended CDBG-CV Funds 411,472.14 Unexpended CDBG-CV Program Income 29,200.00 Total Unexpended COVID-19 Funds 440,672.14 Total Unexpended HUD Funds 2,503,814.35 1.5 CDBG Spend Down Ratio Analysis (must be less than 1.5 by June 1st of each year): CDBG Spend Down Ratio = total unexpended CDBG funds/most recent annual CDBG award Most Recent Annual CDBG Award: 690,793 1.5 x Most Recent CDBG Award: 1,036,190 Current Unexpended CDBG Funds: 1,315,873.79 Current CDBG Spend Down Ratio: 1.9049 Compliance With 1.5 CDBG Spend Down Ratio: No Amount Required to be Expended by 6/1 to Meet CDBG Spend Down Ratio: 279,684.29 Page 1 of 1