320 likes | 506 Views
Atlanta’s Homeless Opportunity Fund Presentation by Paul Bolster Support Housing LLC. National Alliance to End Homelessness July 29, 2008. A Collaborative Solution. A Brief History The Call to Action
E N D
Atlanta’s Homeless Opportunity FundPresentation by Paul BolsterSupport Housing LLC National Alliance to EndHomelessness July 29, 2008
A Collaborative Solution • A Brief History The Call to Action • In November 2002, Mayor Shirley Franklin asked the United Way to lead a broad-based community effort to develop an action plan addressing homelessness
A brief history continued. . . • Building the Plan • United Way convened a 16-member Commission on Homelessness in December 2002 • The Commission carried out a comprehensive process during an approximate 90-day window • Mayor Franklin and the Commission on Homelessness unveiled the Blueprint to End Homelessness in March 2003 • Implementing the Plan • Commission expanded to Regional Commission in 2003 • Seven County governments and Atlanta appointed members
Five Year Plan for 1200 Supportive Housing Units • Type • Gateway 24/7 Homeless Service Center with 300 beds • Assessment Centers (90 day stay) • Transitional • Permanent
Resources • Subsidy 500 Section 8 Vouchers from the Atlanta Housing Authority • Services Private Donations $10 million • Capital Homeless Opportunity Fund Grants of $22 million
Leadership • Mayor Shirley Franklin • Challenged the Bond Counsel • City Council Champion Debi Starnes • Challenged the Council • Business Leader Horace Sibley • Challenged the Mayor • United Way • Challenged the Community
Funding Sources • Legislature authorized special tax on rental cars at the airport for promotion of tourism • Tax Allocation Bonds pay off parking lot debt • Council authorizes bond sale by the Atlanta Development Authority • Court validates the bonds • Bond issue closes—funds to trustee
Critical Decisions • Lawyers and courts determine that homeless housing benefits tourism • Project approval from the Atlanta Development Authority and not the City Council • Tax revenue committed before legislators tried to access it for a NASCAR museum
Program Guidelines • Flexible • Waivable • Reportable • Accountable • 15-year commitment
Guidelines • Grants limited to $40,000 per unit or bed • Other capital expected • Service plan and service provider—promotes collaboration • Two year service budget commitment • Only unoccupied units or expensive relocation plans • Limit of 40 units in one place or 20% of units in a larger project
Collaborative Approval Process • Atlanta Development Authority approves housing finance, design, construction budget • Regional Commission/United Way approves service provider, plan, and budget • Neighborhood and district City Council member must be informed but approval not required
Other Funding • Service fund of the Regional Commission/United Way--$10 million • Housing Authority Section 8 Vouchers • Georgia Supportive Housing Fund • Low Income Housing Tax Credits • Private Foundations
Results—20 Projects • All funds will be allocated in 3 years (December of 2008) • 12 projects are operational • 4 projects under construction • 3 projects approved and waiting on a closing • 1 pending approval
Results • Total Grants--$22,403,331 • Other Capital -- $95,853,259 • Total units/beds effected – 1586 • Assessment Center beds – 233 • Permanent Units – 437 • Five public self-cleaning toilets
*Converted City Jail • *$10 per year lease • *Atlanta Union Mission, operator • *Broad community collaborative • *Downtown location • (near jail, courts, and police) • *Four story facility • *270 programmed beds
Information • Atlanta Development Authority • www.atlantadevelopment.com • Download the HOF application • Regional Commission of Homelessness • www.unitedwayatlanta.org/homeless • Support Housing LLC • www.supporthousing.org
Support Housing LLC Paul Bolster bolsterp@bellsouth.net