Palm Bay awards nearly $5 million to address homelessness and affordable housing

In an effort to make a positive impact locally to address the nationwide issue of homelessness and affordable housing, Palm Bay City Council earmarked $5 million in State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, otherwise known as American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to solicit proposals from eligible entities with the experience and capacity to move unhoused or at-risk individuals and families from homelessness to stable, permanent affordable housing.

At the September 22, 2022, Special Council Meeting, Council awarded a total of $4,850,000 to six (6) applicants, Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc. ($368,560); Community of Hope, Inc. ($1,231,320); Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County ($961,120); Helps Community Initiatives Inc. ($15,000); I Am Ministries, Inc. 'The Source' ($1,299,000); and Volunteers of America of Florida, Inc. ($975,000). The result of Council's action will provide for shelter nights, a service center for homeless and at-risk individuals and families, 44 permanent transitional housing units, five (5) permanent affordable single-family homes, and provide necessary case management and other supportive services to the most vulnerable residents of Palm Bay. Additional information on the ARPA-funded projects, programs, and services is available on the City's ARPA website at www.pbfl.org/ARPA.

Of the remaining $5 million earmarked to address homelessness and affordable housing, City Council, at its July 21, 2022, Regular Council Meeting, authorized the allocation of $150,000 for the monitoring and compliance of these funds. The $150,000 allocation will fund a portion of the salary for one full-time position at $50,000 per year for three years (2023-2026).

Over the next few months, the City will coordinate with the awardees to draft a subrecipient agreement, per U.S. Department of Treasury requirements, to memorialize the grant awards, the eligible use of the funds, and all necessary reporting and compliance requirements. Per the Treasury's requirements, all ARPA funds must be earmarked by December 31, 2024, and fully expended by December 31, 2026.

Background:

In 2020, the City of Palm Bay was allocated $18,009,865 in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). At the May 5, 2022, Regular Council Meeting, Palm Bay City Council earmarked $5 million for the purpose of addressing homelessness, affordable housing, and any public services associated with such efforts. The City received proposals from 14 applicants.

• 1611 Meridian LLC
• Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc.
• Community of Hope, Inc.
• Daily Bread, Inc.
• Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County
• Helps Community Initiatives Inc.
• I am Ministries, Inc. dba The Source
• Kingdom Culture Church of Palm Bay FL, Inc.
• Little Growers Inc.
• Miniopolis LLC
• South Brevard Sharing Center, Inc.
• Volunteers of America of Florida, Inc.
• Wings of Grace Ministries, Inc.
• Women's Center, Inc.