Springfield council approves $1.115 million HOME‑ARP agreement with Helping Hands after amendment fails

The Springfield City Council on June 3 approved an ordinance authorizing a subrecipient agreement with Helping Hands that commits $1,115,000 in HOME‑ARP (American Rescue Plan Act) funds for tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA), supportive services, operating expenses and capacity building from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.

The vote followed an hour of debate and a failed amendment that would have cut $350,000 from the award and sent the remaining funds back out for competitive solicitation. Alderman Gregory (Ward 2) proposed the amendment, saying the change would “give others a chance that are vital in our community” and that some local providers serving women and families are excluded by the council’s coordinated‑entry requirement. The amendment failed 6 no, 3 yes. The underlying ordinance then passed 7–2.

The ordinance uses HOME‑ARP funds, a set‑aside from earlier ARPA allocations, to pay for TBRA, supportive services and capacity building. Julia Griffin, who said she manages the program for the city, told the council the HOME‑ARP allocation plan was developed after public hearings and later amended; she said coordinated entry was added to “make it fair” so that organizations would serve people in the order they appear on the coordinated‑entry list. Griffin said the plan and its prioritization tool were amended in early 2024 to reallocate funds to TBRA because the city’s earlier housing development allocation was too small to have a meaningful effect.

Alderman Gregory and several colleagues argued that the coordinated‑entry requirement excludes providers that only serve women or families and suggested those providers should have a chance to apply if the city reopened the funding process. Opponents, including Alderman Conley and Alderman Williams, urged caution and said the city should “let our subject matter experts take the lead,” noting that Helping Hands and Fifth Street Renaissance had demonstrated capacity to meet federal documentation and reporting requirements. Conley said the funds represent “big federal dollars” and praised the step toward building housing capacity.

Council members also asked for additional transparency and reporting. Alderman Gregory requested a five‑year accounting of city spending related to permanent supportive housing and social‑service groups; the request was made during debate but not tied to a formal motion. Alderman Purchase asked that recipients provide regular updates before budget season so the council and the public can review progress.

Outcome: The amendment to reduce funding and reopen an RFP failed 6–3. The ordinance authorizing the Helping Hands agreement then passed 7–2 and will fund TBRA, supportive services, operating costs and capacity building for the contract period stated in the ordinance.