FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
At its Oct. 11 meeting, City Council ARPA Review Committee voted to recommend the allocation of approximately $7 million in funds to support homeless services and affordable housing projects. A Council Bill is being drafted for City Council to consider at its Oct. 17 meeting.
The proposal to Council will include recommending $3 million for the building of a purpose-driven day center; approximately $2.8 million to supplement a previously approved HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP); $2.2 million allocation for the creation of a non-congregate shelter; $650,000 for respite care services for the homeless; and approximately $550,000 toward affordable home ownership.
Community Partnership of the Ozarks submitted the proposal for the purpose-drive day center. The Connecting Grounds submitted the proposal for the respite care services.
If approved by City Council, the City’s Planning & Development Department will release four separate requests for proposals (RFPs) for projects that will assist the homeless, those at-risk of homelessness, domestic violence survivors, and those at great risk of housing instability. The first RFP will seek proposals for the development of affordable rental housing. The second RFP will seek proposals for the acquisition and development of a non-congregate shelter(s). The third RFP will seek projects that provide supportive services, and the fourth RFP will seek proposals for affordable home ownership.
These funds, if approved, would supplement a total of $3,805,703 in HOME-ARP funding previously approved by City Council. The HOME-ARP program was created in 2021 to address the need for homeless assistance and supportive services. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is available to state and participating local jurisdictions.
“This will help address the top priority needs identified in the consultant report provided to City Council,” said ARPA Committee Chair Matt Simpson.
The Committee also agreed to recommend allocating $150,000 for CASA’s plans for a clubhouse and play space for foster children and $100,000 for capital improvements at Lincoln Cemetery, a historic African-American cemetery.
Approximately $2.75 million City ARPA dollars remain as a set-aside for potential COVID-19 critical services until/unless these funds are reallocated by City Council. The committee will meet at a later date.
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About the City’s ARPA Funds:
The City received about $40 million in recovery aid from the federal government. Funds must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.
Council-approved Funded projects
Renew Jordan Creek (stormwater project): $500,000
Cooper/Killian Parks projects: $7.3M
Art Museum Education wing: $3M
Ozark Greenways Chadwick Flyer Trail: $3M
Historic City Hall renovation: $4M
City-wide Housing Study: $500,000
MSU request for Grand Street underpass: $750,000
Restore SGF project: $1M
Boys & Girls Clubs Foster/Adopt/Connect Teen Center: $2M
Housing/homeless projects set-aside: $7M
(Additional to $5.3 million in CDBG-ARPA Funds)
Family Connects program: $650,000
Discovery Center: $50,000
Ozark Empire Fair Youth Ag Ed Center: $250,000
Burrell 24/7 Mental Health Hotline: $100,000
Library facilities projects: $500,000
OTC airframe and power plant maintenance facility: $750,000
Six of the above-listed projects involve state-matching funds. Also, the total dollar amount available for homeless/housing will be approximately $12.3 million, when combined with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) ARPA funds.
The City’s ARPA Review Committee, comprised of Mayor Pro Tem Simpson, Councilmen Andy Lear and Abe McGull, and Councilwoman Heather Hardinger reviewed more than 50 funding requests totaling more than $210 million.
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For more information, contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].