File #: 210659    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Referred
File created: 8/5/2021 In control: Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee
On agenda: 8/12/2021 Final action:
Title: Directing the City Manager to immediately procure temporary staffing including processing and call center positions; by contract, assigned from other departments or otherwise, to assist in the expedited dissemination of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds to approved applicants seeking emergency rental and utilities assistance from the City's program; establish a one stop processing and call center at a physical location to improve access to our city residents to expediate the program's assistance; and evaluate and ensure that the city's contractual agencies that are receiving substantial federal funds for the ERAP program are acting expeditiously in processing the applications.
Sponsors: Melissa Robinson, Quinton Lucas
Attachments: 1. NO Fact Sheet 210659, 2. Authenticated Resolution - 210659 sub
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR RESOLUTION NO. 210659

title
Directing the City Manager to immediately procure temporary staffing including processing and call center positions; by contract, assigned from other departments or otherwise, to assist in the expedited dissemination of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds to approved applicants seeking emergency rental and utilities assistance from the City's program; establish a one stop processing and call center at a physical location to improve access to our city residents to expediate the program's assistance; and evaluate and ensure that the city's contractual agencies that are receiving substantial federal funds for the ERAP program are acting expeditiously in processing the applications.

body
WHEREAS, the City has received $14,814,859 in federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds to make available for Kansas Citians needing rental or utility relief assistance to help them get caught up on past due rent and utility bills; and

WHEREAS, the COVID pandemic has caused economic hardship for many Kansas Citians who desperately need the assistance that the ERAP funds may provide; and

WHEREAS, on August 3, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a new order to temporarily halt evictions in counties with heightened levels of community transmission in order to respond to recent, unexpected developments in the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the rise of the Delta variant; and

WHEREAS, the City has contractually obligated $13,358,062 of ERAP funds through various organizations and programs; and

WHEREAS, the City has expended $7,859,806 of ERAP funds, leaving 53% of funds unspent and available for distribution; and

WHEREAS, it is critically important for the City to, without delay, disseminate these funds; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the City Manager is dir...

Click here for full text