HomeMy WebLinkAboutA007 - Motion authorizing the Mayor to sign a Certificate of Consistency with the 2024-28 City of Ames CDBG Consolidated Plan on behalf of YSS for renewal funding under the State of Iowa ESG and SAF ProgramsITEM #:8
DATE:09-09-25
DEPT:P&H
SUBJECT:CERTIFICATE OF CONSISTENCY WITH THE 2024-2028 CITY OF AMES
CDBG CONSOLIDATED PLAN ON BEHALF OF YSS FOR RENEWAL
FUNDING UNDER THE STATE OF IOWA EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS
GRANT (ESG) AND SHELTER ASSISTANCE FUND (SAF) PROGRAMS
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) receives funding from the State of Iowa through the
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Shelter Assistance Fund (SAF) programs,
administered by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). For the 2026-27 program year, for YSS to
continue to receive funding through these programs, YSS must have approval from the City,
as an Entitlement Community, that its program applications match the goals of the City’s
current 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan.
YSS is seeking to renew its contract for $80,000, of which approximately 10% ($8,164) will be
allocated to the City of Ames to continue administering its Youth Transitional Housing
Services. These grant dollars will continue to help cover the cost of rent and utilities at four
units in the City of Ames.
Staff has discussed and received information from YSS and finds that the request for
renewal funding is consistent with goals and priorities outlined in the City’s Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2024-2028 Five-year Consolidated Plan, which is to:
“Reduce the cost burden for low- and moderate- income (LMI) households to access or
maintain rental housing city-wide”.
The Plan also emphasizes the importance of local non-profit organizations seeking
additional funding opportunities from state and federal resources to have a greater
impact on the needs of homeless, chronically homeless, extremely low-, very low-, and
low-to-moderate-income households.
Attached for the City Council's review and approval is the Certificate of Consistency for YSS,
which must be submitted to the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care Application for its
renewed program funding before September 15.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Consistency on behalf of YSS to receive its
Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care Grant renewal funding for the ESG and SAF
Programs.
2. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Consistency.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is important for local non-profit organizations to seek additional funding
opportunities from state and federal resources in order to have a greater impact on the
needs of the homeless, chronic homeless, extremely low, very low, and low and
moderate income households in the community than can be accomplished with only
local funding. The proposed programming is also consistent with the City’s 2024-2028
Consolidated Plan. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council adopt Alternative #1.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Certificate of Consistency -YSS-Completed.pdf
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CERTIFICATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING IOWA STATEWIDE
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT (ESG) AND
SHELTER ASSISTANCE FUND (SAF) AWARDS FOR SHELTER
ESG/SAF Nonprofit Applicant:
ESG/SAF Shelter Project:
Unit of General Purpose Local Government for the
geographic area served (city or county):
Project Description (2-3 sentences):
To the best of your knowledge, does the Shelter Project named above meet the following definition of
“Homeless shelter” or “shelter” or “Domestic violence shelter” in full, as specified in Chapter 41,
Shelter Assistance Fund, and Chapter 42, Emergency Solutions Grant, Iowa Administrative Code 265?
“Homeless shelter” or “shelter” means a facility properly zoned and lawfully operating in compliance with all
state, county and municipal laws and regulations, including possessing all permits, licenses, certifications
and other authorizations required for the facility’s location, which provides temporary shelter with overnight
sleeping accommodations for homeless persons and which does not require occupants to sign leases or
occupancy agreements.
“Domestic violence shelter” means a homeless shelter primarily or exclusively serving clients who are
homeless due to domestic violence.
Yes ☐ No ☐
If no, please explain:
I certify that I am duly authorized to act on behalf of the unit of general purpose local government
named above and that I hereby approve* of this project.
By: ____________________________________________ _______________________
Signature Date
____________________________________________
Printed Name and Title of Signatory Local Official
*This approval is made to carry out 24 CFR Part 576.202(a), which states the following:
*…The recipient must subgrant the remaining funds in its fiscal year grant to:
(1) Units of general purpose local government in the State, which may include metropolitan cities and urban counties
that receive ESG funds directly from HUD; or
(2) Private nonprofit organizations, provided that for emergency shelter activities the recipient obtains a certification of
approval from the unit of general purpose local government for the geographic area in which those activities are to be
carried out.”
Iowa Statewide ESG and SAF Policy: This certification is required for all Shelters at least once every two years.
Youth & Shelter Services Inc. (YSS)
YSS Transitional Housing Services
City of Ames
YSS provides Transitional Living and Rapid Rehousing for
Transitional-Aged Youth in Ames. This grant renewal will continue to
assist in proving much need housing and other services to assist this
population.
John A. Haila, Mayor
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