County closes part of ERA program, commits over $1M toward new 40-unit very low-income housing project

Economic development staff updated the council on the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs. They said the county administered roughly $49.31 million across ERA 1 and ERA 2, dispersing about $45.26 million in direct rental assistance and retaining administrative costs near 9.17 percent, under the 10 percent typical threshold.

Staff reported residual ERA 1 funds were returned to the U.S. Treasury where required; ERA rules limit which leftover funds may be retained locally and how they may be used. The county has already returned $154,945 to the Treasury and is reconciling two fraud cases: one for $4,800 (money recovered and available) and another for $16,800 (likely unrecoverable because the recipient filed for bankruptcy).

Staff said interest earned on program accounts (about $11,100) could be used by the county for general purposes under program rules, and that the county plans to commit “a little over $1 million” of the eligible funds to CoAction to assist in purchasing property for a new 40‑unit very low‑income rental facility. Staff also cited administrative reconciliation items (uncashed checks, double billing) that required returning funds to the program accounting but said the team expects to close out ERA files soon.

Council members were briefed but did not take a formal vote during the study session; staff said they would provide further reconciliation details and formal appropriation requests if needed.