Council authorizes $50,000 in unallocated asset funds for homelessness outreach, nonprofit training and a childcare study

Council approved the city manager’s recommendation to allocate approximately $50,000 of unallocated and reserved FY25/26 asset funds across six items: administrative overlap (to cover a departing admin), community roundtable facilitation, up to $15,000 for a consultant to facilitate strategic work among asset funder boards, up to $15,000 for nonprofit capacity training, up to $10,000 for homeless outreach flex funds, and $10,000 toward a Story Countywide childcare study.

Staff described the homeless outreach (HOST) pilot and said administrative and private-sector contributions are being pursued to sustain the model; the $10,000 flex fund is intended as interim support and would be administratively managed through existing nonprofit partners and Mary Greeley (Arch) as appropriate. Staff also said United Way and Iowa State University committed matching funds toward the childcare study, and the Alliance and other partners are being asked to contribute.

Council asked whether the county had been asked to participate in the childcare study funding; staff said the county had been contacted and a decision was pending. Council also discussed whether the outreach and HOST activities are expected to be long-term city expenses or a transition that nonprofit partners will increasingly manage; staff said the goal is to build nonprofit capacity so the city’s direct support can taper.

Council approved the allocation motion and directed staff to implement the funded activities and coordinate with partner organizations.