Polk County approves multiple ERA 2 and housing funding agreements, board highlights pandemic-era investments

Polk County approved a series of resolutions backing emergency rental assistance and affordable housing projects, including funding agreements for community partners and amendments to intergovernmental agreements, the board recorded during a consent package at the meeting.

Agenda items acted on collectively included a memorandum of understanding with Anewim Housing and Polk County Behavioral Health and Disability Services (agenda item 31); a 28E agreement amendment among Polk County, the City of Des Moines, the City of West Des Moines and Home, Inc. to support a community land trust (item 32); economic development funding for the Greater Des Moines Partnership (33); ERA 2 funding agreements and interest-earnings allocations for projects including Beacon, Joppa and Oak Ridge (items 34–39); and other housing-related funding agreements for Veil Street, Highland Park Flats, Town Hall Associates and Oak Ridge.

A board member summarized the county’s pandemic-era allocations, saying Polk County allocated over $65 million in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA 2) funds and interest earnings. The board member said 75% of those dollars were dedicated to direct financial housing assistance to keep residents housed and that 25% were set aside for creating affordable rental housing units targeted at 50% of area median income or below. The speaker also noted that “hundreds more” units were created or supported through the investments and thanked staff and partner organizations for implementation and Treasury-rule compliance.

The board member also described a planned three-year funding commitment, in cooperation with the City of Des Moines, to underwrite nine emergency youth beds operated by YSS. The county and the city will each underwrite the cost of those beds at $150,000 per year, the board member said.

The package of resolutions was moved and seconded collectively and approved by roll-call vote; Supervisors Holmes, Hawkinsmith, Connelly, Altringer and McCoy each recorded “yes.” The transcript does not include contract dollar amounts for every agreement; specific funding amounts and contract terms are on file with the county’s auditor and the administering departments.