Sponsor: Housing Stability
Title
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First Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with City of Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority for Housing Trust Fund
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the First Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement with the city of Saint Paul for the transfer of Housing Redevelopment Authority Housing Trust Fund dollars for the period of March 31, 2023, through March 31, 2024, in the amount of $827,244.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to execute the sole source agreement with Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul, provided the amounts are within the limits of available funding.
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Background and Rationale
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The city of Saint Paul’s Housing Redeployment Authority (HRA) distributes Housing Trust Funds (HTF). The Housing Trust Fund was developed by the city of Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter to produce, preserve, and protect housing affordability for Saint Paul residents. The fund serves as a flexible financial tool used to address the current crisis of housing affordability in Saint Paul.
To meet the needs of the severe monetary impact resulting from the end of the COVID response funds, the HRA, in partnership with Ramsey County, established a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) in July of 2022. The purpose of the JPA is to support homelessness housing provided through the Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul.
Through the original JPA, HRA transferred $827,244 Housing Trust Fund money to Ramsey County. The funding included a 5% fee for administration of funds. The county entered into an agreement with Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul. Through the JPA, the county is responsible for complying with the HTF program requirements, managing agreements and performance of the funded organization, and aligning with Heading Home Ramsey’s mission, vision, and goals.
The original JPA has an effective date of July 12, 2022, through March 31, 2023. HRA is amending the JPA to extend the term from March 31, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
For the 12-month period of April 2021-March 2022 in Ramsey County, American Indians were 14 times more likely to be homeless than whites, and African Americans were about 8 times more likely than whites to be homeless. The homeless rate for American Indians is about twice that of African Americans (14.2 compared to 7.6). During April 2021 to March 2022, data from homeless shelters and street outreach indicate that 45% of the persons were Black or African American, 31% white, 5% American Indian, 9% Latinx, and 5% Asian (with 4% unknown and 9% multiple races).
Comparatively, during a three-month timeframe, Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul saw a total of 322 clients. 66% of clients seen were Black or African American, 20% white, 4% American Indian, and 11% Asian. The Housing Trust Fund was designed to help offset current housing issues that St. Paul residents face, including significant racial disparities in home ownership.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Heading Home Ramsey is a community-wide partnership committed to the goal of ending homelessness in the cities and neighborhoods of Ramsey County. This is a coalition comprised of residents, social service providers, housing providers, philanthropic partners, business, community, and government working together.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Through the original JPA, HRA transferred $827,244 of Housing Trust Fund money to Ramsey County. This amendment is extending the term of the JPA from March 31, 2023, through March 31, 2024. There is no financial impact as a result of this action.
Last Previous Action
On July 12, 2022, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the Housing Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, for the transfer of Housing Trust Fund, to support Interfaith Action (B2022-162).
Attachments
1. First Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement