REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SANTINO DANISI, MBA, City Controller/Finance Director BY: COURTNEY ESPINOZA, Business Manager Finance Department, Grants Management Unit SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to Southwest Fresno Development Corporation (SWFDC) 1. Approve an agreement with SWFDC allocating $1,000,000 in ARPA funding for the No Place Like Home Initiative. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with SWFDC allocating $1,000,000 in ARPA funding to establish a No Place Like Home Initiative specific to Southwest Fresno and those that were impacted the COVID-19 pandemic; and authorize the City Manager to execute agreements, amendments and modifications pertaining to this grant program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff recommends Council approve an agreement with SWFDC allocating $1,000,000 in ARPA funding to establish a No Place Like Home initiative that was previously approved by Council on November 3, 2022. As lead partner the SWFDC will implement a program to build wealth through homeownership in Southwest Fresno by providing real estate development, providing first time homeownership financial literacy to residents in multiple languages, serve residents in transitions to home ownership, and assist potential first time homeowners with securing public/private down payment assistance resources. BACKGROUND In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Of this funding $1,000,000 was identified in a resolution passed by Council on November 3, 2022 to allocate to the SWFDC to provide first time homeownership education, down-payment assistance resources and housing assistance and educational services to Southwest Fresno residents that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. SWFDC's approach is to provide technical assistance to Southwest Fresno residents in the form of homeownership classes co-taught by Self Help Enterprises to ensure graduates are eligible for downpayment assistance program. Along with educational and resource services, SWFDC will purchase 4 newly build homes in Southwest Fresno to provide a lease to homeownership option for graduates of the program. SWFDC will continue to provide ongoing support, maintenance, loan counseling and foreclosure prevention and education services throughout the program. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, these recommendations do not qualify as a "project" as defined by CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE This organization has been previously approved by Council. FISCAL IMPACT This program will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and will not impact the general fund. Attachment: ARPA CBO Agreement with Southwest Fresno Development Corporation