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Councilors urged to seek federal support as HUD NOFO change could cut permanent supportive housing; plus Wabanaki, opioid fund and airport-TV updates
Summary
City staff asked council to consider letters of support for a Wabanaki DHHS grant, and to send a request to U.S. senators about a potential HUD NOFO change that staff say could sharply cut Bangor’s permanent supportive housing funding.
City staff asked council to consider three separate items in the updates portion of the workshop: a letter of support for a Wabanaki DHHS grant application, a request that council send letters to U.S. senators about an anticipated HUD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) change, and guidance on unsigned requests for county opioid-settlement applicants. Staff also noted the city declined to play a voluntary Homeland Security/TSA video on airport screens because it is political content rather than traveler safety information.
Wabanaki: Staff said Wabanaki requested a letter supporting a DHHS-funded peer navigator program that would provide on-site support, referrals and overdose-risk education at Wabanaki’s syringe-service program; staff recommended providing the letter.
HUD NOFO request to senators: Staff warned of a leaked NOFO draft that would require states to cap permanent supportive housing (PSH) at no more than 30% of certain HUD collaborative applications. Staff said Bangor currently supports about 177 people through its voucher/permanent supportive housing program in roughly 149 apartments. If the federal cap were applied to the city’s share, staff estimated only 53 individuals would be covered under the new limit and said roughly 124 people could lose housing support and be at risk of homelessness. Staff asked council to send letters to U.S. Senators Collins and King asking them to advocate against the proposed reduction before the NOFO is issued.
Opioid-settlement grants: Staff noted the county has opened a grant round from its opioid settlement funds. The city expects overlapping applicants and projects; staff said they will provide letters of support on a case-by-case basis but flagged the potential for the city’s own forthcoming grant process to reach a different ranking decision than letters issued for county applications.
Airport screens: Staff said the Transportation Security Administration/Homeland Security request to voluntarily display a politically themed video about the federal shutdown was declined; the city will continue to use airport screens for traveler safety and service information.
Ending: Staff said they are coordinating with the continuum of care and county partners on HUD and opioid funding conversations and will pursue council-approved letters to senators and grant-requesters as instructed.
