Title
Authorizing the Department of Safety and Inspections to apply for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration for the Homeless Assistance Response Team outreach program.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) would like to apply to the Emergency Services Program grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Homeless, Housing, and Support Services Administration, which will assist in funding the City of Saint Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART) outreach program; and
WHEREAS, HART is a pivotal component of the Mayor's alternative response initiative and the demands on the team are steadily increasing. Currently, there is an outreach team of two (2) FTEs, managing up to 20 plus encampment sites with over 160 individuals, who have a plethora of diverse needs. HART is intentional about hiring a team that maximizes the ability to reach the population of people encountered daily with a focus on diversity, experience, and passion; and
WHEREAS, the investment of two (2) additional outreach workers would ensure the unsheltered community is receiving the services they need in a timely fashion, with efficient follow up, addressing their individual barriers; and
WHEREAS, the grant amount would be two hundred thirteen thousand dollars ($213,000), which would fund two (2) additional outreach positions, or one (1) position for two (2) years, with a grant term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council for the City of Saint Paul authorizes DSI-HART to apply for the Emergency Services Program grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Homeless, Housing, and Support Services Administration.