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City grants $100,000 to district partnership with Agape to place up to 80 homeless families; staff cite 1,307 currently identified
Summary
The committee reviewed a proposed funding agreement with the City of Memphis and Agape Child and Family Services to screen and house homeless families referred by the school district. Staff said the $100,000 award (03/01/2025–12/31/2027) would support part‑time data analysts and project management time to place up to 80 families at no cost to the
The committee reviewed a proposed funding agreement under which the City of Memphis would provide $100,000 to support a partnership between Memphis Shelby County Schools and Agape Child and Family Services to identify, case‑manage and place homeless families in temporary and permanent housing.
Staff explained the award would fund part‑time data analysts to screen homeless referrals, enter records into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and pay existing staff for project management duties needed to operate an after‑hours referral pathway. Presenters said the funding would support placement services for up to 80 families during the grant period from March 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, and that all referrals must originate from district staff.
Special populations staff told the committee the district currently identifies families as McKinney‑Vento homeless when they lack stable housing, including doubled‑up living arrangements, hotel or car living. A figure cited in committee for the current school year was "the last number was 1,307," though staff said the number may be an undercount compared with the prior school year, when the district recorded nearly 3,000 homeless families.
Committee members asked about referral workflows, the intake process and whether families who re‑become homeless after an initial placement would be eligible for additional assistance. Staff explained referrals are made by school teams (clerical staff, family engagement specialists, counselors or social workers) to the special populations team, which conducts a needs assessment and, if appropriate, refers families to Agape for HMIS entry and housing casework. Staff said some families may reenter the system if they lose housing again; individual program limits vary.
District leaders said the agreement fills an identified gap: the district does not currently have a permanent housing program or shelter partner that it directly operates, and the city/Agape partnership would provide an additional pathway to connect families to housing resources. Committee members expressed strong interest in the proposal; staff will forward a formal acceptance request to the full board.
