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Council approves $156,000 HOME reallocation to tenant‑based rental assistance to prevent homelessness
Summary
The council unanimously approved a substantial amendment to reallocate $156,000 in prior‑year HOME funds to BOLI Center’s tenant‑based rental assistance program, a renewable HOME activity staff said will be coordinated with county and partner contributions to prevent evictions amid rising rents.
The St. Petersburg City Council on March 5 voted unanimously to reallocate $156,000 in prior‑year HOME Investment Partnership funds to a tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA) program run by the BOLI Center, citing rising local rents and an urgent need to prevent homelessness.
Dr. Ariesleicher of Housing and Community Development outlined the amendment as a response to market pressures that widen the gap between household income and fair‑market rents. "The reallocation of these funds will help prevent homelessness and homeless instability for extremely low and very low income households," the presenter said, citing HUD fair‑market rent data and the challenge of placing some households in affordable units.
Council members pressed administrators on sustainability and scale. Councilmember Harding asked what happens when the reallocated funds run out, saying: "Are we pushing a problem down the road that'll pop up again?" Administration staff responded that TBRA is a renewable HOME activity, that the city is coordinating with Pinellas County and other partners, and that the county and Juvenile Welfare Board have contributed or committed to backfill gaps. Staff clarified the dollars pay for short‑term rental subsidies in market‑rate units while staff continue to locate longer‑term affordable placements.
The council approved the amendment and authorized the mayor or designee to submit the amendment to HUD. The record shows the motion passed unanimously with one councilmember absent.
