Council approves tenant‑based rental assistance funding; staff urged to plan for federal policy shifts
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Summary
Council approved consent transfers to continue the tenant‑based rental assistance program and asked staff to coordinate with housing providers, philanthropy and business partners to brace for federal policy changes that may affect mixed‑status households.
The council approved a consent item to transfer funds for the city’s tenant‑based rental assistance program, which the city has operated since 2012 using federal HOME dollars.
Council member Friedman pulled the item to ask staff for an overview. City staff described the program as homelessness‑prevention support that helps people who have formerly experienced homelessness remain in housing through case management and agency partners. Staff reported that federal policy changes affecting support to mixed‑status households could impact roughly 148 households in the city’s Section 8 voucher program and that more than 200 people currently rely on emergency housing vouchers referenced by staff.
Friedman requested that, in addition to passing the item, staff be directed to work with housing providers, local philanthropy and the business community over the next 10 months to develop plans and additional resources to prevent displacement when federal support changes take effect. Staff and members agreed to the additional direction, and the consent item was included in the balance of the consent calendar.
The consent calendar — including the tenant‑based rental assistance transfer — passed as part of the balance of consent items.
Next step: staff will continue to coordinate with housing providers and report back as part of the budget and homelessness prevention discussions this spring.
