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Housing staff defend ASAP and outline SHIP/CDBG spending as commissioners press sustainability
Summary
Housing Director Sheila Ware reviewed SHIP, CDBG and ASAP programs, described recent disaster and recovery allocations and said ASAP is currently funded from reserves and grants; commissioners requested a workshop to resolve how Friends of ASAP reserves will be used without creating a long‑term operating shortfall.
Sheila Ware, director of Housing and Community Services, gave a detailed rundown of the department’s programs and recent funding at the July 16 workshop. Ware said the city administers SHIP and CDBG funds and described how those state and federal programs constrain allowable uses and set aside percentages for very low‑ and low‑income households.
Ware outlined disaster and recovery allocations used since 2020 — including COVID relief, rehabilitation dollars and Hurricane Michael recovery funds — and said these programs have supported hundreds of households and produced multi‑million‑dollar economic impacts. She also explained SHIP set‑aside rules (for owner‑occupied rehab, purchase assistance, and income targeting) and said the city’s 26‑27 SHIP allocation is modest compared with past highs.
On the after‑school ASAP program, Ware said the nonprofit Friends of ASAP and other reserves have previously supported operations and that payroll is run through the city and then reimbursed to the city by the nonprofit. Several commissioners and staff pressed for clarity on long‑term finances: one commissioner asked whether the city is drawing down a $2 million NSP reserve for staffing and how much of the rent revenue and reserves are being used for operations.
Ware and staff said the Friends of ASAP/Community Fund holds roughly $375,000 currently and that city staff are scheduling a dedicated workshop (originally noticed as virtual) to work through sustainability questions and whether an in‑person workshop is required to discuss transitions, grant strategy and whether partners can take on greater operating roles.
Why it matters: ASAP provides supervised after‑school care for elementary‑age children and is licensed by the state; several residents and commissioners said the program serves vulnerable families and urged the city to avoid eliminating staff or services. Commissioners asked for a plan that balances preserving services for children and seniors while avoiding unsustainable draws on one‑time reserves.
What’s next: staff agreed to provide a detailed budget showing the use of NSP/reserve funds, program income, and how FY27 staffing and operating needs will be covered; the commission scheduled a focused discussion/workshop to consider governance and sustainability options for ASAP and related housing activities.
