HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2020-12-08_MinutesPUBLIC COMMENT PROVIDED BY EMAIL
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item C-2
SUBMISSION FROM: Joanna Balsamo-lilien
From: Joanna Balsamo-Lilien <jlilien@fcni.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 2:40 PM
To: City Clerk <cityclerk@atascadero.org>
Subject: 12/8 City Council Meeting Agenda Item C.2. Public Comment
Good Afternoon,
Please see the attached Public Comment from Family Care Network regarding tonight's agenda item C.2.
2021 Community Development Block Grant Draft Recommendations.
Thank you for your consideration.
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JOANNA BALSAMO-LILIEN
Property Management Specialist
Phone | (805) 503-6268
Mobile | (805) 270-9386
Email | jlilien@fcni.org
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SUBMISSION FROM: Janna Nichols
From: Janna Nichols <janna.nichols@5chc.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 3:18 PM
To: City Clerk <cityclerk@atascadero.org>
Subject: AGENDA ITEM C-2: 2021 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
I want to thank you for your consideration of our request as part of your CDBG
considerations, under item C-2. I am unable to be with you this evening due to a prior
work commitment. As such, I would like to offer this written comment regarding our
request.
5Cities Homeless Coalition began its work with a focus of serving south county, as such
we have 5Cities in our name. That said, as our agency has grown over the last 11 years,
we have worked to provide a breadth of services without duplication of our
partners. 5CHC has strengthened its housing program to provide deposit and
rental assistance (with supportive services) countywide for those who are
homeless and facing homelessness. Working with our community partners, 5CHC
receives referrals from throughout the county to assist those who are in need of deposit
assistance or are striving to prevent eviction and needing rental support. Most of this
financial assistance for deposit and rent is funded through CDBG and Emergency
Solutions Grants. This year, in addition to the CDBG funds we normally receive from
the County, and some Cities, we have decided to apply to each jurisdiction that we serve,
including the City of Atascadero. Thus far for this grant request, we have received
recommendations for funding from the County and City of Paso Robles, so there is no
concern of meeting the minimum $8,000 threshold mentioned in the staff report.
Our request before you this evening focuses on providing emergency subsistence
assistance (rent) for those who are at risk of losing their housing, and for deposit
assistance to help those who are homeless to obtain housing. We couple the direct
financial assistance with case planning, budget and financial coaching, and other
supportive services. Through 10 months of this year, we have helped 3 homeless
households from Atascadero to move into housing, and 1 with eviction prevention
assistance; spending a total of $4,300 in direct financial assistance (apart from case
management and other agency expenses). Most eviction prevention assistance has
been limited this year, due to the eviction moratorium; however, these numbers are
expected to grow in the coming months once the moratorium is lifted in January. And
while there will be some CARES act funding available, not all families will qualify due to
the COVID- related restrictions.
We appreciate your staff's work in preparing this report, and thank you for your
consideration of our request. Should you have questions, or want to learn more of our
programs, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Janna Nichols
Executive Director
5Cities Homeless Coalition
(805) 574-1638 Office
(805) 471-7404 Cell