Authorize Execution of an Agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Reimbursement of Costs to Administer the City's Fair Housing Program during Fiscal Year 2018, Authorize Acceptance of Funds in the Amount Up to  $516,622.48, Plus Interest, Waive Indirect Costs, 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 2018, and accept funds in the amount up to $516,622.48;

2.  Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund in the amount up to $526,622.48 ($516,622.48 from the contract plus $10,000.00 from interest income); and

3.  Waive the transfer of indirect cost revenue due the General Fund in the estimated amount of $67,109.00.

On June 4, 2018,  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 that 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, 2017 to June 30, 2018.  The Human Relations Unit Staff, on behalf of the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission, resolved 125 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 up to  $348,200.00;

   b.   Administrative costs in the amount of $140,042.48; and

   c.   Training funds in the amount of  $28,380.00 for mandatory HUD training.

The addition of interest income from contractual award funds in an amount up to $10,000.00 based upon actual receipts, brings the total to an amount up to $526,622.48.

The difference between the amount stated in the HUD Award Amendment for cases completed ($322,900.00) and the amount stated above for that line item ($348,200.00) is due to the fact that HUD requires that the Award Amendment be prepared and executed before the final amounts are calculated for cases completed.  The $348,200.00 amount takes into account the additional funds that Human Relations expects will be paid by HUD for cases completed.

A waiver of the collection of indirect cost revenue otherwise due the General Fund from the FHAP contract is being requested.  Human Relations has determined that the remission of indirect cost reimbursement to the General Fund would result in less available programming dollars, which when compounded by yearly fluctuations in funding, unanticipated delays in the receipt of funding, the threat of federal cuts in HUD's programming, and increasing salary and benefit costs, could jeopardize Human Relation's ability to successfully fulfill the provisions of the grant. The cost to the General Fund of the waiver is estimated at $67,109.00.

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).