Staff recommends approval of this ordinance.

This ordinance amends the amounts awarded to Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity (THHFH), a qualifying Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), for the development of affordable homeownership opportunities in Independence using 2019-20 and 2020-21 HOME program funds.  The additional funding comes from unused HOME Program funds for those years. 

The City of Independence initiated a Request for Proposals from non-profit developers and non-profit housing service providers for the development and/or preservation of housing opportunities affordable to low- and moderate-income households utilizing 2019-20 and 2020-21 HOME Program funds.  

THHFH responded to the RFP and was awarded $181,603.62 of 2019-20 HOME funds and $217,729 of 2020-21 HOME funds by Ordinance numbers 19236 and 19237, respectively.  After review of available HOME funds for those years, THHFH award amount should be increased to $252,661.62 for 2019-20 and to $290,009 for 2020-21.  The additional funds come from unused HOME Program funds for those years. 

THHFH will continue to utilize the HOME Program funds for the construction of new single-family homes to provide affordable homebuyer opportunities to HOME eligible households in the Englewood area.  

The ordinance will authorize the expenditure of $252,661.62 in CHDO Project funds from 2019-20 and $290,009 in CHDO Project funds from the 2020-21 HOME Program funds.  (Account 6803.5406 for project funds).