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Adams County plans ARPA reallocations to expand rapid rehousing and safe-parking services
Summary
Staff proposed reallocating returned ARPA balances to expand the Salvation Army's rapid rehousing program and safe-parking services to meet a year-end spenddown; commissioners asked for monitoring, sustainability planning, and confirmed reallocations only to active ARPA contracts with similar scope.
Adams County staff reported the county has spent roughly $93 million of a $101 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation and identified several awards likely to return partial funds. County administrators proposed redirecting those recaptured dollars to active ARPA contracts supporting homelessness services, primarily an expansion of the Salvation Army's rapid rehousing and safe-parking program.
Daniella Garcia, the county's ARPA administrator, told the board that some subrecipients are returning small amounts (for example, Colorado Safe Parking Initiative ~$90,000 and other smaller returns) and that rules permit reallocations only to existing ARPA contracts with similar scope. "We are only able to reallocate funds to existing ARPA contracts that are still active and that have a similar scope of work," she said.
Staff described likely uses for the reallocated funds: rent arrears, short-term rental assistance, vehicle repairs for people living in vehicles, food supports, expanded case management and staff support to increase exits from homelessness before the December 31 ARPA expenditure deadline. The Salvation Army rapid rehousing program would expand wraparound services to absorb funds quickly; staff confirmed the organization supplied a spend-down plan that staff judged reasonable for near-term use of funds.
Commissioners pressed for clarity on temporary versus sustainable services, and whether expanded services would expire with ARPA funding. Staff said the expansion would be temporary (ARPA-funded) but noted some Salvation Army activities (for example, food boxes) would continue with their own resources after ARPA expiration where possible. The board directed staff to continue monthly monitoring of at-risk grants and to pursue reallocations that maximize locally beneficial spending while noting the limitations placed by ARPA reallocation rules.
The board also asked staff to seek additional data from CHFA and other partners on timing constraints that could affect housing pipeline decisions. Staff will return with more detailed reallocation plans and monthly status updates to the board.
