Authorize Execution of a Fair Housing Assistance Program Cooperative Agreement Assistance Award Amendment Through the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Fiscal Year 2017, Authorize Acceptance of Funds in the Amount of $859,562.00 and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS)

It is recommended that the City Council:

1.  Authorize the execution of a Fair Housing Assistance Program Cooperative Agreement Assistance Award Amendment through the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Fiscal Year 2017, and accept funds in the amount of $859,562.00; and

2.  Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of  $859,562.00.

On August 4, 2016, the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission voted to recommend the approval of the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Cooperative Agreement Assistance Award Amendment with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Pursuant to a Cooperative Agreement Assistance Award Amendment, HUD will provide funding to the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, a designated FHAP, based on the number of fair housing complaints resolved from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.  The Human Relations Unit Staff, on behalf of the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, resolved 228 complaints during this time period.  Additional funds are awarded to qualifying FHAP agencies for administrative costs and training.

The Cooperative Agreement provides payment for the following:
  
   a.   Resolution of housing discrimination complaints in the amount of $689,800.00;

   b.   City administrative costs in the amount of $147,262.00; and

   c.   Training funds in the amount of  $22,500.00 for mandatory HUD training.

The Agreement also refers to a sum of $15,000.00 in Partnership Funds that was the subject of a previous M&C C-27885, dated August 30, 2016 and approved by the City Council on that same date.

This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD").