TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, Interim City Manager
TITLE: Accept the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Phase 33/34 Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) allocation in the amount of $15,000
Recommended Action
Authorize staff to accept the Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA) phase 33/34 grant. The General Services Department/Social Services Division has applied for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) allocation and requested $15,000.
Background Information
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program began in 1983 with a $50 million federal appropriation. The program was created by Congress to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.
The program is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
EFSP Guiding Principles are:
• Efficiency-fiscal administration, reporting and procedural guidance to Local Boards and LROs
• Accountability-good steward of taxpayers’ dollars through reasonable oversight and transparency
• Responsiveness-prioritize the allocation of supplemental funds to the neediest areas in the nation
• Partnership-promote and strengthen collaboration between non-profit organizations and public sector
• Facilitating-maximizing appropriate local decision-making through clear guidance and training
Program funds are used to provide the following, as determined by the Local Board in funded jurisdictions:
• Food, in the form of served meals or groceries
• Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel
• One month's rent or mortgage payment
• One month's utility bill
• Equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item
When a jurisdiction is funded, the Local Board must advertise the availability of funds. Local organizations, whether nonprofit or governmental, may apply. The Local Board is responsible for considering all applications, and for determining which organizations will receive funds. The Local Board also determines which services are funded. Local administration of the grant funds is by the United Way of Sarasota.
The City of North Port has historically applied for and received EFSP grant allocations annually, when Federal funding was available. The previous grant phase allocated $12,252 to the Social Services Division to be utilized towards rent/mortgage payments for qualifying clients. As a result of the short application timeline for this phase and to ensure eligibility, the grant application has been submitted.
Strategic Plan
Financially Responsible City Providing Quality Municipal Services
Financial Impact
The acceptance of the EFS Phase 33/34 Grant award in the amount of $15,000 will increase the General Services Department / Social Services Division operating budget (001-0730-564-49-21) to provide rent or mortgage assistance for qualified applicants. The offsetting revenue will be recorded in the General Fund as grant revenue.
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Application Emergency Food and Shelter Program Phase 33/34
2. FEMA LRO Certification 33/34
Prepared by: Janet Carrillo
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller