Trustees voted to rescind a previously awarded $250,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award to Progress OKC after staff reported Progress OKC withdrew its original proposal because it could not secure parcels without spending the awarded amount on acquisition and demolition.

David explained the authority originally awarded funds to five projects: a $1 million award to Ally's Inn for a 214‑unit apartment project (under construction) and four $250,000 awards to Collective Strategies, the Urban League, Community Action Agency and Progress OKC. He said Ally's Inn and Collective Strategies have expended their ARPA awards and cannot add units; Progress OKC said it could not proceed as proposed and withdrew its application.

After discussion about timing — all ARPA dollars must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026 — a trustee moved to rescind the $250,000 award to Progress OKC. The motion passed by voice vote. Trustees then voted to direct staff to develop and distribute a request for proposals with a 60‑day submission window so the authority can reallocate the funds to a housing project that can meet the expenditure deadline.

David and other trustees noted two options discussed by staff: (1) reallocate the $250,000 to previously funded organizations that demonstrated capacity (Urban League or Community Action Agency), or (2) open a new RFP to solicit additional applicants. Several trustees expressed a preference for opening the RFP so other organizations could compete, but the board did not limit staff discretion in seeking timely proposals.

Why this matters: ARPA funding is time‑limited and intended to produce housing units; the decision to rescind and re‑solicit aims to place the money where it can be expended by the federal deadline.