It is recommended that the City Council:

1.  Authorize the acceptance of 2018 Community Services Block Grant funds in an amount up to $2,500,000.00 from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;

2.  Authorize the execution of related contracts, including any renewals, amendments and extensions in accordance with City policies and regulations with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the grant funds for the program year beginning on January 1, 2018 and ending on December 31, 2018;

3.  Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in an amount up to $2,500,000.00, subject to receipt of the grant; and

4. Waive indirect costs in the amount of $181,500.00.

The City of Fort Worth contracts with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to provide the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program through Community Action Partners (CAP) which is managed by the City's Neighborhood Services Department.  The TDHCA has notified the City to use prior year's grant and contract award as a planning figure for the 2018 CSBG program.  The total 2017 contract amount is $1,754,089.00. CAP staff projects an increase in funding resulting in an estimated grant award in an amount up to $2,500,000.00 for 2018. The additional appropriation takes into account anticipated increase in services and the award of subsequent grant amounts due to other grantees being unable to spend their funding. During the past five years, the City has received an average of $1,888,443.00 per year and as much as $2,214,992.00 in one year. TDHCA distributes the funds in quarterly allocations.  The first allocation of $438,522.00  will be available for use beginning January 1, 2018.

CSBG provides programs and services to assist low-income persons with case management, emergency assistance, outreach and certification for energy assistance, information and referral and holiday assistance as well as provides clients with transportation to employment, educational training, medical services and other needs. TDHCA does not require CSBG subrecipients to procure vendors for client assistance but allows the use of vendors according to the needs of the client that is related to education or employment.

CSBG also supports administrative and programmatic Staff salaries.  The CAP in the Neighborhood Services Department serves as the designated Community Action Agency for all of Tarrant County, in accordance with federal law and as such, administers CSBG-funded programs.  Nine neighborhood CAP offices will be utilized to deliver the CSBG program services.

A waiver by the City of indirect costs will maximize program benefits. The CSBG program provides for 25 full-time positions with estimated direct salaries of $1.1 million. Addition of indirect costs would result in reduction in Staff and services. The estimated indirect costs that are being asked to be waived is $181,500.00.

No matching funds are required from the City for the CSBG program.

This program services ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS and the rest of Tarrant County.

This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education:  Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.