On the message and order, referred on September 29, 2021, Docket #1010 an order authorizing the City of Boston to apply for, and to accept and expend, the Federal Fiscal Year 2021 Continuum of Care grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the amount not to exceed Forty Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000.00). These funds will be used to support programs that provide services and housing to persons experiencing homelessness, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
Certainly. Docket 1010. The Committee on Housing and Community Development, to which is referred on September 29, 2021, docket number 1010 in order authorizing City of Boston to apply for and to accept and expand the federal fiscal year 2021 Continuum of care grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the amount not to exceed $45 million. These funds will be used to support programs to provide services and housing to persons experiencing homelessness. Submits a report recommending the order to pass. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The chair now recognizes Chair Lydia Edwards, chair of the Committee on Housing and Community Development. Councilor Edwards, the floor is yours. Thank you very much. I just wanted to first thank my, uh, my, um, vice chair of the, of the committee, Councilor Bach, who helped to hold this hold the ultimate hearing on this money that we've had many years and coming forward. And what the folks who attended included accounts not only Councilor Bach, but also Councilor Flynn, councilor here, and Councilor Braden. Leila Bernstein is a former colleague of mine who also works at the end in support of Housing Division and her work on homelessness and helping to eradicate veteran veterans homelessness. And also making sure that we have a comprehensive plan that is not only regional has been, I think, of an actual lead in the region for how to deal with homelessness. So her coming to testify, I know, was really important for us to hear how the money would be used, especially as we're getting additional funds in ARPA . Ultimately, this is a grant again that we've received before and I just would love to. Ah, excuse me, I am recommending that this ought to pass, but I would prefer that my. Vice chair also added. Any additional details and and notes from the hearing. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Chair now recognizes the Vice Chair of the Committee on Housing Community Development. Vice Chair. The floor is yours. Thank you, Mr. President. And Madam Chair, we did have a great hearing, and I would just say. For the Council to understand. If you want any further details, there is a three page fact sheet on this continuum of care programs in the packet. As Councilor Edwards said, it's mainly a continuation of programs that we do right now, although within that 45, there is about $4 million worth of new funding, about half for domestic violence focused housing programs and and half for folks who are homeless. But I just really want to stress for people, because it's come up a lot in our public conversation, that these really are housing first. These are dollars from the federal government that are very focused on actually providing more housing opportunities to people. And they do come with a supportive service component of the funding, which is critical. We found a lot of times that what people need that low barrier housing first, they don't need housing only. Right? They need to get in and then they need the support. And I just would echo the chair's comments about how much work our our partner neighborhood development, that portion that well runs does on all of this. So I would just say, you know, we asked lots of questions. Councilor here, you know, raised some great points about the sort of people who don't get counted as officially homeless. Under HUD's definition, we're not really able to use these funds for. So, for instance, our young people who might be doubled up, but I think we've got some city focused funds focused on that and that. And I would just say that while it was very open to all the work that needs to be done ahead in this space. So it's a it's an important grant for us to authorize, even though there's lots more work needed and ongoing. So I would join the chair in a recommendation that we pass it today. Thank you very much. Chair Lydia Edwards and Vice Chair Kenzie Bach, Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee on Housing Community Development, seek acceptance of the Committee report and passage of Docket 1010. All those in favor please indicate by saying I am opposed. Nay, the ayes have it. The docket has passed. Moving right along, Madam Clerk, two matters recently heard for possible action. Docket number 0734 councilor councilors Mejia and Balk offer the following order for a hearing regarding reparations and their impact on the civil rights of black Bostonians.