Young Kings and Queens asks county to reallocate $400,000 ARPA award to tiny homes project

Representatives of Young Kings and Queens asked county commissioners April 1 to allow reallocation of a previously awarded $400,000 to build four tiny homes and a mobile classroom for the organization’s Bridges transitional housing program.

Rashad Palmer, executive director of Young Kings and Queens, told the board funding delays and a change in the capital stack prevented the nonprofit from completing its original mixed-use plan. Palmer said the group has secured housing-millage funds and hopes the county will permit the $400,000 ARPA award to be “pulled down” and applied to a revised plan that uses tiny homes instead of apartments and a mobile classroom in place of a boxing ring. Destiny, the organization’s community outreach director, also described the proposal and said the change would accelerate use of the award before ARPA deadlines.

Administrator Catlin and county ARPA staff said the $400,000 had been awarded for a different development and that any reallocation would require going through the county’s ARPA portal and be returned to the board for consideration. Catlin told commissioners the $400,000 could be leveraged with housing millage funds and noted staff could present a revised proposal for board approval; she said the county would work with the housing department to evaluate whether the tiny-home approach would meet procurement and ARPA rules.

Catlin also said the county had discussed the matter with board leadership and Commissioner Ray, and that constructing one tiny home had been estimated at about $150,000. If the board approves a reallocation and the nonprofit leverages additional millage funds, staff said the ARPA award could be spent in an eligible way before the ARPA spending deadline.

Next steps: county staff indicated they will bring a proposal back to the board for formal approval if Young Kings and Queens submits a portal application describing the revised scope and budget. No reallocation or board approval to change the award was recorded at the meeting; staff framed the discussion as an opportunity to work with the nonprofit to seek an eligible path forward.

Ending: Commissioners applauded the nonprofit’s housing work; staff said any redirection of ARPA funds must be processed via the county’s established ARPA portal and approved by the board before the dollars can be used on the tiny-homes plan.