City staff recommend HOME awards for five affordable-housing projects; linked resolutions urged to protect awards

City housing staff presented HOME program funding recommendations on March 16, reporting roughly $2.7 million available and six eligible applications. The Affordable Housing Committee recommended funding five projects, including Bethanie Village (recommended ~$1.19 million) and several rehabilitation or new‑construction projects serving low-income households.

Staff explained timing constraints tied to federal HOME contract deadlines: one project (Bethanie) needs awards under contract by early June to avoid federal recapture. To prevent loss of HOME funds used earlier in project capital stacks, staff proposed two linked resolutions: (1) approve the slate of HOME awards at the March 30 vote (an exception to the council timeline) so project closing deadlines can be met; and (2) authorize a later administrative action (April 16) to transfer or finalize HEART vs HOME fund sources for one project (St. John’s) and to allow a conditional award letter so the project can continue seeking capital sources for up to one year, returning funds if conditions are unmet.

Staff emphasized that these actions do not change competitive processes or project scopes; they seek to keep awarded projects able to close and avoid federal recapture or the loss of locally awarded funding.

Council members asked questions about timelines and whether any additional city dollars were being allocated by the request; staff said the proposed action reassigns existing award letters and does not represent a new open‑ended appropriation beyond what was recommended in the competitive rounds.