HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.27.25 HCDC PacketIf you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this program or event, please contact Brianna Thul at
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Next Meeting: February 17, 2025
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION (HCDC)
January 27, 2025
Regular Meeting – 6:30 PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall
410 E Washington Street (City Hall)
AGENDA:
1.Call to Order
2.Consideration of Meeting Minutes: October 21, 2024
3.Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda
Commentators shall address the commission for no more than five minutes. Commissioners
shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said items.
4.Discuss FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Funding and Consider a Budget
Recommendation to City Council
Applications are available online at www.icgov.org/grants. During this meeting, HCDC will
discuss applications, scores, rankings, and funding for the FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies
cycle and will consider a budget recommendation to City Council. City Council is anticipated
to provide final funding allocations in May.
5.Staff & Commission Updates
This item includes an opportunity for brief updates from staff and commissioners.
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion on updates.
6.Adjournment
Housing and Community Development Commission
Meeting Packet Contents
January 27, 2025
Agenda Item #2
a) October 21, 2024 Draft HCDC Meeting Minutes
Agenda Item #4
All grant information is available at www.icgov.org/grants.
a) FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Applications: https://www.iowa-
city.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=2214019&dbid=0&repo=CityofIowaCity
b) FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Staff Summary Sheets: https://www.iowa-
city.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=2216222&dbid=0&repo=CityofIowaCity
c) FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Question and Answer Information: https://www.iowa-
city.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=2217824&dbid=0&repo=CityofIowaCity
d) 12/13/24 Staff Memo – FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Staff Scores and Funding
Recommendations
e) 1/21/25 Staff Memo – FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Commissioner Score Summary
f) 1/21/25 Correspondence from 4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care
Agenda Item #5
a) 1/21/25 Staff Memo – Historic Grant Funding for Recurring City Grant Programs
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OCTOBER 21, 2024 – 6:30 PM
FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Daouda Balde, Maryann Dennis, Karol Krotz, Kiran Patel, Denise
Szecsei, Kyle Vogel
MEMBERS ABSENT: Horacio Borgen, George Kivarkis, James Pierce
STAFF PRESENT: Erika Kubly, Brianna Thul, Sam Turnbull
OTHERS PRESENT: Simon Andrew (The Housing Fellowship)
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
By a vote of 5-1 (Vogel opposed) the Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve
Substantial Amendment #1.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
Vogel called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
Balde introduced himself noting he is from West Africa moved to Iowa in April 2016. He used to work with
Johnson County Food and Grow at Melrose and likes to help others in the community so volunteered for
this commission.
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 16, 2024:
Krotz moved to approve the minutes of September 16, 2024 with changes. Dennis seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the minutes were approved 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TOPICS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
REVIEW AND CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL ON APPROVAL OF
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT #1 TO THE CITY'S FY24 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN:
Vogel noted they have some federal monies that weren't spent, and staff is proposing using those funds
towards the City’s GreenState and Hills Down Payment program to fund up to 12 additional households.
There are also some other monies that weren't used by a couple other organizations that staff
recommend allocating to The Housing Fellowship to buy two affordable rental units. Thul explained there
were two projects from the FY24 Annual Action Plan that were not completed. One was United Action for
Youth. UAY was awarded HOME funded to acquire and rehab transitional housing units, however, with
federal funding there are a lot of restrictions and regulations attached. United Action for Youth canceled
their project because it was able to proceed without federal funding and through a partnership with The
Housing Fellowship. The second project was the Ronald Street student-built home, which was awarded
$200,000 HOME funds. This project had to go through a historic preservation review which took longer
than anticipated and therefore that project ultimately proceeded without federal funding. Staff would like to
Agenda Item #3
Housing and Community Development Commission
October 21, 2024
Page 2 of 6
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reallocate the money from those two canceled HOME projects towards rental acquisition to honor the
intent of the original projects.
Dennis asked when the funds need to be spent. Thul explained typically it needs to be committed within
two years and spent within four, however, with the way the appropriations have been structured, there are
some waivers for the deadlines, but staff try to stick the standards in case anything changes. Since these
are FY24 funds they need to commit those soon.
Patel stated she recalls the Down Payment Assistance program changed its requirements and the homes
no longer have to be in certain census blocks but now it's open citywide. Thul confirmed that was correct.
Krotz asked regarding The Housing Fellowship and the two additional rental units, would those be for
people under 80% or 60%? Thul replied that HOME requires under 60% for rentals. Krotz asked if it is
possible for the Commission to place a suggestion to attempt to fund those for people under 40%? Kubly
stated they can suggest, however, staff typically leaves it at the maximum when they fund projects like
this. They also might be serving someone with a Housing Choice Voucher and so being able to get the
maximum rents would be helpful, but the Commission can suggest what they wish.
Dennis stated she thinks it’s a good suggestion, however for the folks that are administering the program
and trying to do all the compliance it might be more work, and she also believes the majority of the folks
that rent from The Housing Fellowship fall far below 60%. It’s also difficult to have only two rental homes
that have to be under a certain amount because if somebody comes in and they're a couple dollars over
they won’t quality.
Vogel stated he feels like they're doing the shell game, they all voted and gave money to United Action for
Youth. They also awarded money to The Housing Fellowship. Now without going through that process
again, they are just deciding to take that money and just give it to The Housing Fellowship. Why can’t
these funds go back into the next award cycle? Thul replied that the Commission could wait and put the
funds into the next competitive round, but they would be asking staff to wait until July of next year to start
any projects. Dennis agreed that waiting that long doesn’t leave the agency awarded with enough time.
Simon Andrew (Director, The Housing Fellowship) wanted to address both of the questions raised by the
Commission. First, regarding the income levels, the vast majority of the households The Housing
Fellowship serves fall well below 60%, and in most cases even below 40%. The average household
income for their tenants is $27,000 a year and they have large households to serve, sometimes up to 10
person households. Andrew stated they do like to have the limit set at 60% to serve the households that
do have a voucher. Otherwise, they are basically turning down free federal money if it's restricted at the
lower rate, because the voucher picks up that 60% rent.
Krotz asked if somebody has an income of under $25,000 and they also have a voucher that would pay
50% of a person's rent. Andrew replied no, the voucher in that case would likely pay all of their rent. The
voucher is structured that households shouldn't be paying more than their income so if their income is low
enough, the voucher will pay all of their rent, up to a set cap of what a rent can be (which is based on
average rents). If the voucher holder starts making more money, the voucher will pay less. The Housing
Fellowship has many households that don't pay anything out of pocket.
Krotz finds that really interesting because she falls in that category of having income below that amount
but has never had all of her rent paid, she usually pays between 40% and 50%, sometimes up to 55%
and she has a Housing Choice Voucher. Andrew noted that would be a question for City staff but The
Housing Fellowship does have households with vouchers that pay $5 of the rent and the tenant is
responsible for the rest up to the tenant not paying anything, the latter are usually families with children.
Krotz asked if they ever have one-bedroom units on vouchers. Andrew replied yes, they have 17 one-
bedrooms but those are limited to find, they are seeing right now the biggest demand is at the extremes,
very large families and single person households. They do have quite a bit of two- and three- bedroom
units, but not enough one-bedroom or larger than three-bedroom units.
Housing and Community Development Commission
October 21, 2024
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Andrew next addressed the question about the United Action for Youth (UAY) project and the student
build project. The Housing Fellowship was really proud to partner with UAY to help that project go
forward. He stated in both cases The Housing Fellowship is borrowing that money and taking on that debt
with the hope and understanding that they would be able to access those unused HOME funds. He
explained that UAY was in a position where they had eight homeless clients that they were serving
between the ages of 16 and 22 that were already renting private apartments but weren't going to be able
to continue in those apartments. UAY was afraid those individuals would be homeless again come July,
when the lease was up, and when it the funding did not come through in a way that would allow them to
purchase the house and they needed help. UAY first went to the Community Foundation and then they
asked City staff and United Way if there was any way they could get bailed out and still be able to close
on the house for these individuals. Effectively, they just needed a landlord with a borrowing capacity to
be able to borrow the gap in the home purchase. The Housing Fellowship took over the purchase
agreement as a way to help out one of their partner agencies to help them complete their mission, which
in this case is the same mission, preventing more homeless individuals on the street. In this case, it was
16- to 22-year-olds that really had nowhere else to go. Andrew explained The Housing Fellowship would
like to use the HOME funds from UAY to purchase a home they would have otherwise had to borrow
money for. They are basically using the debt on the UAY purchase instead of the new acquisition and
hoping to use the HOME funds for that new acquisition. The student build home on Ronalds Street, was
a timing issue due to the school district calendar. Students are back in school in August, and they needed
to start building in August. Due to the archeological review they weren't going to have the answers
needed in time to get the students rolling. Again, The Housing Fellowship doesn’t have other funds for
that project and had to incur a private debt at 7% interest to finish that construction. The Housing
Fellowship is hoping to use the $200,000 for other acquisitions that will cash flow such that it will pay the
debt on Ronalds Street. Because it is a student build project, they believe in the project so much they are
willing to take a loss on that second house. So again, they are just hoping for that remaining $200,000 to
be allocated to The Housing Fellowship so they can acquire additional properties that will help that cash
flow picture.
Dennis acknowledged it is sort of a shell game but one that has really good results for the community.
Krotz asked if staff anticipates if any other agencies will raise concerns with this reallocation. Thul cannot
speak for other applicants, but they are approaching the next CDBG and HOME funding round again in
December so there's that funding available. Also, for affordable housing projects like this, the City
contributes to the local Affordable Housing Fund, which is administered by the Housing Trust Fund of
Johnson County, so this isn't the only opportunity for affordable housing funds at the moment.
Vogel noted he just intrinsically has a hard time with moving money from the other projects to a new
project without a discussion about the merits of everybody's proposals. Perhaps that $310,000 could be
used by an organization that plans to assist more than two households. Maybe someone wants to buy a
$1.2 million 24-plex of one-bedrooms and just needs $310,000 for the down payment, and suddenly there
are 24 households in Iowa City that can be assisted with the same $310,000 versus two. They are not
getting the opportunity to have that discussion. He did acknowledge the pressure and extra work it puts
on staff to do that work but those are simply his concerns with it.
Krotz asked if this would go to City Council for final approval. Thul replied yes, this is currently in a 30-day
public comment period and then it will go to City Council on November 4.
Kubly also wanted to note, this is the standard process for a substantial amendment like this. This is the
public process and they are following normal procedures to accommodate for changes that have
happened since the initial Action Plan was approved.
Dennis noted if they were to put the money back for the next round it again lowers the amount of time that
somebody has to finish the project and if that project isn't finished within the guidelines that money goes
back to Washington, DC, and everyone loses the money. Kubly noted they do substantial amendments all
Housing and Community Development Commission
October 21, 2024
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the time. Thul agreed it is common for staff to bring this Commission substantial amendments to the
Consolidated Plan.
Krotz asked if The Housing Fellowship will be using the funding for rental housing, specifically a duplex.
Andrew replied not necessarily, they own 211 rental housing units and they range from single family
homes, duplexes, town homes, and they look at zero lots basically the same as single family homes.
There are a couple that they have their eye on now to acquire and will probably acquire three more in the
next nine months, in addition to, hopefully, these two. Krotz wondered if they had a specific property in
mind to acquire if they were awarded these funds. Andrew replied they are always looking and currently
there is a duplex for sale on Muscatine that's real close to a few other units that they own and that's
always very attractive, just for efficiency of maintenance.
Andrew wanted to state as well, effectively this is a mechanism to get done projects that the Commission
has approved, but the projects wouldn’t have happened without this mechanism, so it really is a way to
get them done the projects that this Commission initially considered and approved. If The Housing
Fellowship had not stepped in and that UAY money had just gone back into the pot and those kids would
be homeless. He also stated they will probably see more of these in the future, collaborations between
the nonprofits, the clients UAY are serving, The Housing Fellowship doesn’t have the skill set to serve.
They have daily case management services that's beyond what The Housing Fellowship does and
likewise, The Housing Fellowship is much more experienced a a property manager and dealing with
acquisition. They have more debt capacity with the ability to move things between properties in a way that
UAY isn't capable to do. The Housing Fellowship has had a lot of success recently with master leases
with the Salvation Army and their homeless vet program. They worked with DVIP and Shelter House early
on in the pandemic. Overall it’s a good thing to have the local nonprofits collaborate and play to their
strengths, for case managers to be doing the best case management services, property managers,
likewise. Therefore, part of the logic and taking that risk on the UAY project, not knowing whether those
funds would be reallocated, was to show that those master lease projects are very fruitful.
Szecsei asked if there have there been any public comments. Thul replied no, but public comment will go
through November 4. Szecsei asked if they expect any public comments. Thul stated they don’t usually
get many comments and the bulk of the feedback typically comes from this Commission. Kubly added
that the agencies that staff regularly works with are pretty comfortable coming to staff. They know they
would have the opportunity to speak at the Council meeting or anytime between now and then as well.
Sometimes they also get favorable public comments, so if The Housing Fellowship wanted to come and
make a public comment like that at the Council meeting they could as well.
Krotz asked if the other agencies generally watch things like this. Kubly is unable to know if they watch
the meetings but when agencies have projects that they need funding for they typically would come to
staff and talk through them.
Dennis moved to recommend that City Council approve Substantial Amendment #1. Seconded by
Patel.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-1 (Vogel opposed).
OVERVIEW OF NEXT STEPS FOR FY26 LEGACY AID TO AGENCIES:
Staff wanted to give an overview of next steps for FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies process. The joint
application was due October 15 and staff has all of the submissions. The submissions are available
online as well as printed hard copies for those that wanted it. However, with the hard copies that is only
the application and there's supporting materials posted online. United Way did three training sessions and
staff received some good feedback on that. Staff will supply the Commission with summary sheets of
each application by November 7 but encouraged all to start reading the applications. The Commission
has until January 6 to score the grant proposals, that sounds like a lot of time but time tends to fly. Staff is
also going to be offering one on one sessions and will meet with members individually to help work
Housing and Community Development Commission
October 21, 2024
Page 5 of 6
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through any questions. There will also be the Q&A session with the applicants so if anyone has clarifying
questions for the applicants, they can submit those to staff, and staff will work with the agency to get
answers. Questions for the agencies will be due to staff by November 21 so the agency has time to
respond. Once scores are submitted by January 6, staff will tally those and supply averages to the
Commission that will be included in the information in the packet for the January 20 HCDC meeting. At
that January 20 HCDC meeting is where they will make the group funding recommendations to City
Council.
Patel noted January 20 is Martin Luther King Day, so will HCDC still meet that day. Thul noted that on
MLK Day, City offices will be closed and they'll have to shift. The meeting was shifted to the 27th.
Dennis reminded everybody that the Legacy Aid to Agencies funds generally go for operating costs for
the applicants. Thul noted the funding source is part CDBG and part local funding. She acknowledged
this is a challenging grant that HCDC has to work through. There's a lot nonprofits in Iowa City doing
good work and its always a tough decision.
Krotz asked how much money is available for agencies this round. Thul stated it’s on the website but
believes it is around $754,000. Also, typically there's about 5% of the total budget that's set aside for
Emerging Aid to Agencies - now called Non-Legacy Aid to Agencies. She also reminded them that the
awards have a minimum of $15,000. The Legacy Aid to Agencies is limited to the applicants identified in
the Consolidated Plan and in the packet staff provided is some information just for reference, like historic
funding for the last 10 years, best practices, and the calendar, which will need updated due to that new
January meeting date.
STAFF & COMMISSION UPDATES:
Dennis noted an article in the Gazette or Register Sunday about a new homeless liaison in Cedar Rapids
and the work they are doing with landlords to lower rents. It was interesting because some of the things
mentioned here are actually happening in Linn County, so it might be worth looking at.
Szecsei started thinking about things like vacancy taxes, or things like that to encourage landlords or
property managers to fill vacancies. There are a bunch of other communities, more so probably in
California, that are toying with an idea of a vacancy tax and she thought would be interesting here in Iowa
City and provide some incentive for landlords. That money could then go towards being able to cover
deposits or things like that for higher risk tenants to address the concerns that landlords have.
Vogel noted it would be a nightmare logistically in know how to prove or get any kind of real number on
whether units are vacant or not. Additionally, what about complexes like The Hive or The Lodge, if one of
those four- or five-bedroom suites have only two of the rooms are rented is that counted as occupied.
There are a lot of minor caveats.
Szecsei suggests maybe it's time to have another conversation about strategies to address vacancy rates
and housing shortages and needs as a part of the landlord incentive discussion because they haven't
resolved anything or moved forward with anything from that previous meeting.
Vogel suggested perhaps staff could put that back on an agenda after all the funding rounds end as the
next several months will be busy with Legacy Aid to Agencies funding, and then CDBG/HOME funding
rounds.
ADJOURNMENT:
Dennis moved to adjourn, Krotz seconded the motion and a vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
Housing and Community Development Commission
October 21, 2024
Page 6 of 6
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Housing and Community
Development Commission
Attendance Record 2023-2024
Resigned from Commission
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Vacant
Name Terms
Exp.
9/21 10/19 11/16 3/21 4/18 5/16 6/13 8/19 9/16 10/21
Balde, Daouda 6/30/27 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- O/E O/E X
Dennis,
Maryann 6/30/25 O/E X X X X X X X X X
Kivarkis,
George 6/30/27 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X O/E
Krotz, Karol 6/30/27 X X X O/E O/E X X O/E X X
Vogel, Kyle 6/30/26 X O/E X X X O/E O/E X X X
Patel, Kiran 6/30/26 X O/E X O/E O/E X X X X X
Pierce, James 6/30/26 X X X O/E X X X O/E X O/E
Szecsei, Denise 6/30/25 -- -- X X X X O/E X O/E X
Borgen, Horacio 6/30/25 -- -- -- O/E O/E X X X O/E O/E
Date: December 13, 2024
To: Housing and Community Development Commission
From: Brianna Thul, Senior Community Development Planner
Erika Kubly, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
Re: FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Staff Scores and Funding Recommendations
The purpose of this memo is to provide staff scores and funding recommendations for the FY26
Legacy Aid to Agencies (A2A) funding round. Commissioners may consider this information
during their independent evaluation of the submissions. The table attached contains staff
scores, funding recommendations, and a recent funding history. Submissions, historic funding,
and other information related to this grant are available at www.icgov.org/grants.
Staff Comments on Funding Recommendations:
In general, staff funding recommendations were developed by prioritizing the largest increases
to the highest scoring submissions. The following are instances where members of the HCDC
may benefit from additional explanations to inform the decision-making process.
Staff reserved $30,000 for FY26 Non-Legacy (formerly “Emerging”) requests. HCDC
may recommend up to 5% of the total A2A budget for Non-Legacy requests. Based on
the proposed budget of $770,444, up to $38,000 in A2A funds may be set aside for Non-
Legacy requests. Applications for funds are anticipated to be available in early January
of 2025.
In 2024, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) took over services provided
for the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP), which was previously part of the
University of Iowa. Both agencies were funded as Legacy Agencies in the most recent
funding round. Staff recommend directing additional funding to DVIP as they now
provide services of RVAP along with their normal operations.
NCJC and Free Medical Clinic substantially increased their requests for FY26. Both
proposals scored well, but in consideration of the proposed A2A budget, staff did not
recommend full funding for these requests.
Agencies that received a staff score below 60 were not recommended for funding.
Considerations for the agencies that were not recommended for funding include the
quality of application, financial capacity, and agency reported outcomes for prior year
funds. Both agencies are recipients of city ARPA funds for services that overlap with the
requested operational funds.
Iowa City is fortunate to have many qualified nonprofit organizations serving the community.
Although these decisions are challenging, staff feel that the information provided is fair,
objective, and reasonable. Agencies that are not recommended for Legacy A2A funds may
apply for Non-Legacy A2A funds by the application deadline. Commissioners are reminded that
the deadline to submit independent scores to staff is January 6, 2025. Staff will compile scores
and post them in the meeting packet about a week before the January 27, 2025 Housing and
Community Development Commission meeting.
Attachments
FY26 Legacy A2A Staff Scores and Funding Recommendations
Agenda Item #4
Agency FY23 Allocation FY24 Allocation FY25 Allocation FY26 Request
Staff
Recommendation
% Change
from FY25 to
FY26
$ Change
from FY25 to
FY26
Staff
Score
Inside Out Reentry $42,734 $31,000 $31,266 $35,000 $35,000 12%$3,734 94
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County $58,759 $70,000 $70,601 $150,000 $80,000 13%$9,399 94
Shelter House $90,810 $99,790 $100,647 $109,770 $109,000 8%$8,353 94
Free Medical Clinic $26,709 $40,000 $40,344 $100,000 $50,000 24%$9,656 93
Table to Table $33,119 $40,000 $40,344 $50,000 $45,000 12%$4,656 93
Domestic Violence Intervention Program (now includes RVAP)$53,418 $60,000 $60,515 $97,630 $95,000 57%$34,485 92
United Action for Youth $35,256 $34,500 $34,796 $40,000 $39,000 12%$4,204 92
Arc of Southeast Iowa $21,367 $22,400 $22,592 $25,000 $25,000 11%$2,408 91
HACAP $19,230 $27,270 $27,504 $28,634 $28,600 4%$1,096 90
Free Lunch Program $47,007 $15,000 $15,129 $25,000 $16,000 6%$871 87
CommUnity Crisis Center and Food Bank $74,037 $69,086 $69,679 $77,000 $73,000 5%$3,321 86
Aging Services (formerly Pathways)$26,709 $15,000 $15,129 $27,000 $15,500 2%$371 83
Horizons $26,709 $38,000 $38,326 $38,000 $36,000 -6%($2,326)81
Big Brothers Big Sisters $26,709 $27,125 $27,358 $28,000 $25,000 -9%($2,358)79
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity $26,709 $27,029 $27,261 $40,000 $23,344 -14%($3,917)77
Houses into Homes $0 $15,000 $15,129 $30,000 $15,000 -1%($129)76
Community and Family Resources $42,734 $0 $0 $20,000 $15,000 NA $15,000 67
4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care $26,709 $28,000 $28,240 $78,000 $15,000 -47%($13,240)63
Dream City $0 $25,000 $25,215 $60,000 $0 -100%($25,215)55
Center for Worker Justice $0 $15,000 $15,129 $40,000 $0 -100%($15,129)54
Rape Victim Advocacy Program - Merged with DVIP $26,709 $28,000 $28,240 NA $0 NA NA NA
Total $705,434 $727,200 $733,444 $1,099,034 $740,444
Estimated FY24 A2A Budget $770,444.00
Emerging A2A Budget $30,000.00
Legacy A2A Budget $740,444.00
FY26 Staff Legacy Aid to Agencies (A2A) Recommendation
Date: January 21, 2025
To: Housing & Community Development Commission
From: Brianna Thul, Senior Community Development Planner
Erika Kubly, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
Re: FY26 Legacy Aid to Agencies Commissioner Score Summary
As a part of the Legacy Aid to Agencies process, staff compile individual scores submitted by
commissioners into a summary that is used as a baseline for funding recommendations to City
Council. Staff did not receive a representative number of individual scores from the commission
and do not have enough information to create a score summary. As a result, the commission
will work from staff scores and recommendations as a starting place for funding
recommendations at the January 27th, 2025 Housing and Community Development Commission
meeting. Commissioners are encouraged to use their individual scores to participate in the
discussion on the 27th.
Agenda Item #4
January 21, 2025
Dear Members of HCDC,
I am writing to you today regarding the Aid to Agencies funding decisions. After submitting the
requested follow-up information to you last month, I had concerns that the information provided
did not fully encompass 4Cs scope of work, nor did it accurately reflect the work that we do to
support our community. That was especially clear after looking at our application score and staff
recommendations for funding. For years, I have been making the grave mistake of thinking that
our story was more compelling than our data. But our data—especially as it pertains to the
positive impact on Iowa City families—is its own important story that I now understand needs to
be told more. On the one hand, 4Cs has done a great job of operating under the radar and
working with less; on the other, we/I have done a poor job of providing funders with the data that
show we are, in fact, doing so much work for--and in--the community. We are now at a place in
the lifespan of our organization where we can no longer operate under the radar, or work with
less.
I have been corresponding with City staff, and since they were not likely to change their
recommendations, I wanted to reach out with some updated data to be included in your packet.
Below is updated FY24 data (which we will also hopefully be able to update and amend for the
other joint funders—we are currently working with United Way staff to determine that, as well
as determining if we are tracking the correct data to report for future reports).
Total number of professional training opportunities 466
Total number of adults receiving workforce skills training 144
Total number of individuals receiving info on a healthy
lifestyle 1608
The FY 26-27 request for the City of Iowa City is to support Home Ties and the Child and Adult
Care Food Program (CACFP), a program designed to provide healthy food to low-income
children. Both of these programs provide support primarily to Iowa City residents. In FY 24,
Home Ties provided childcare for 96 children, 92% of whom live in Iowa City. The majority
(69) of these children were in our program for temporary care. We are licensed for 36 children,
which means at any given time, there are 36 kids enrolled in our program. In FY 24, of the 36
children, we cared for 18 children on Child Care Assistance (for your reference, 100% of these
children are Iowa City residents). We are one of only three centers in Iowa City that take CCA at
a rate that high—most cap their CCA to 20% or less. Home Ties has lower child to teacher ratios
due to our quality rating and we require more trainings of our staff to be able to meet the needs
of the children we serve, knowing many of them are living in crisis situations. Therefore, our
operation costs are significant and the reimbursement we receive from the state does not fully
cover the cost of care.
The CACFP reimburses childcare providers for serving healthy food to the children they care for
and is a measure of a quality program. 40% of the providers that are supported by 4Cs live in
Iowa City (we oversee 3 counties in this program). We are required to complete 3 compliance
Agenda Item #4
visits per provider, per year. While we do receive some federal funding, subsidies are needed to
support the program. With each visit, we are providing additional information on health, healthy
eating habits and encouraging full participation in the program so that providers can receive the
reimbursements, which is additional income to support their businesses.
I fully recognize that this 11th hour request to look at new data and consider our initial funding
request-- in spite of staff recommendations--is not only unconventional, but also out of character
for our organization, and myself personally. I do not take this lightly. In all humility, I have been
doing it wrong. And doing it wrong at the expense of my organization and the clients we serve. I
humbly request that even if you are unable to consider the full funding initially requested, at the
very least, you will consider funding 4Cs at the previously allocated amount.
Thank you for your service to our community and in consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Missie Forbes
Executive Director, 4Cs Community Coordinated Child Care
Date: January 21, 2025
To: Housing and Community Development Commission
From: Brianna Thul, Senior Community Development Planner
Erika Kubly, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
Re: Historic Grant Funding for Recurring City Grant Programs
Introduction:
In September 2024, City Council directed staff to provide additional information to boards and
commissions that award funding through annually recurring City grant programs. The goal is to
foster awareness among awarding bodies about which organizations regularly receive funding
through these programs.
Background:
The City provides several recurring grant programs that fund organizations in the community.
These include the City’s Aid to Agencies, Climate Action, Racial Equity and Social Justice, and
Public Art offerings. A description of these grant programs is as follows:
•Climate Action Grant (CAG)
Purpose: to inspire and promote community involvement in reducing energy use,
encouraging low-emissions transportation, reducing consumption of materials and
valuable resources and supporting sustainable lifestyle choices.
Administered By: Climate Action Division of the City Manager’s Office.
Process: Applications are typically accepted and awards made in spring for execution the
following fiscal year. Scoring is completed by a committee of interdepartmental staff and
members of the Climate Action Commission. Staff makes award decisions with an eye
toward leveraging other potential funding opportunities and maximizing the number of
awardees. Funding decisions are shared with the full Climate Action Commission.
•Non-Legacy Aid to Agencies (NLA2A)
Purpose: to provide non-legacy nonprofit agencies with limited, flexible operational
funding to help them serve low-income Iowa City residents based on priorities set in the
City’s Consolidated Plan.
Administered By: Neighborhood Services Division of the Department of Neighborhood &
Development Services.
Process: Agencies submit a short online application. HCDC considers funding allocations
funding becomes available after July 1. Please note that changes to this grant are
anticipated in upcoming fiscal years.
•Legacy Aid to Agencies (LA2A).
Purpose: to provide core nonprofit public service agencies with flexible operational funding
to help them serve low-income Iowa City residents based on priorities set in the City’s
Consolidated Plan.
Agenda Item #5
January 21, 2025
Page 2
Administered By: Neighborhood Services Division of the Department of Neighborhood &
Development Services.
Process: Legacy applications are submitted through the United Way joint funding process
every two years. Staff oversee the application process, facilitate a Q&A for the
commission, score the applications and make a recommendation for funding. HCDC
receives, reviews, and score applications individually, and then propose funding
allocations to City Council as a group. City Council makes final approval of funding
allocations. Please note that changes to this grant are anticipated in upcoming fiscal years.
•Public Art Matching Fund Program (PAMFP).
Purpose: to foster creativity and continue to enhance access and opportunity to the arts
in Iowa City.
Administered By: Economic Development Division of the City Manager’s Office.
Process: Applications are submitted to the Economic Development Coordinator, and are
reviewed by City’s Public Art Advisory Commission, after which the commission makes
funding decisions. Applications are typically accepted in late winter with award decisions
in the spring.
•Racial Equity and Social Justice Grants (RESJ).
Purpose: to encourage, empower, and engage racial equity and social justice initiatives
through programs, activities, or services that help eliminate inequities in the Iowa City
community. Programs addressing priority service areas receive preference: Building
Communities, Criminal Justice, Education, Employment, Health, and Housing.
Administered By: Equity and Human Rights Division of the City Manager’s Office.
Process: Staff oversees the application and holds informational sessions to assist
applicants. The City’s Human Rights Commission perform scoring and make
recommendations to the City Council for awards. City Council makes final award
decisions. Applications are received from Early December to early January. Award
recommendations are typically completed in March with final Council decisions around
June.
The attachment provides the history of awards for the previous four years. It is simply provided
for your awareness.
Attachments:
4-Year Grant History Chart
CAG NLA2A LA2A PAMFP RESJ CAG NLA2A LA2A PAMFP RESJ CAG NLA2A LA2A PAMFP RESJ CAG NLA2A LA2A PAMFP RESJ
4 Cs 26,119$ 26,709$ 28,000$ 28,240$ 109,068$
A&W Sustainable Planning 6,175$ 6,175$
Al-Iman Center of Iowa 7,500$ 7,500$
Andre Wright (individual artist)3,000$ 3,000$
Andrea Smisek Gage 3,200$ 3,200$
Antelope Lending Library 1,434$ 1,434$
Arc of SEI 20,895$ 21,367$ 22,400$ 22,592$ 87,254$
Artifactory (Arts Iowa City)367$ 367$
Better Together 2030 8,650$ 8,650$
Big Brothers/Big Sisters 26,119$ 26,709$ 27,125$ 27,358$ 107,311$
Bike Library 9,940$ 4,000$ 10,000$ 23,940$
Burr Oak Land Trust 2,500$ 2,500$
Catholic Worker House 8,000$ 8,000$
Center for Worker Justice 15,000$ 18,000$ 15,000$ 7,000$ 15,129$ 70,129$
CommUnity Crisis Center 72,402$ 74,037$ 3,047$ 69,086$ 3,280$ 18,000$ 69,679$ 7,000$ 316,531$
Deerfield Commons 10,000$ 10,000$ 20,000$
Domestic Violence Intervention Program 10,000$ 52,000$ 53,418$ 60,000$ 60,515$ 7,620$ 243,553$
Dream Center 10,000$ 25,000$ 25,215$ 60,215$
Dubuque Street Apts.3,554$ 3,554$
Eastern Iowa APAPA 3,000$ 3,000$
Elder Services/Horizons 45,968$ 26,709$ 38,000$ 38,326$ 149,003$
Erin Durian (individual artist)555$ 555$
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa 8,000$ 12,000$ 20,000$
Family Folk Machine 3,500$ 3,500$
Fannie Hungerford 1,817$ 1,817$
Field to Family 10,000$ 10,000$
Filmscene 3,000$ 3,000$
Fin and Feather 10,000$ 10,000$
Food Pantry at Iowa 6,075$ 6,075$
Free Lunch Program 18,805$ 47,007$ 15,000$ 15,129$ 95,941$
Free Medical Clinic 26,119$ 10,000$ 26,709$ 40,000$ 40,344$ 143,172$
Great Plains Action Society 5,000$ 6,000$ 11,000$
Green House 2,027$ 2,027$
HACAP 26,119$ 19,230$ 27,270$ 27,504$ 100,123$
Hawkeye Railroad Club 10,000$ 10,000$
Healthy Kids School Based Clinics 15,000$ 11,300$ 5,000$ 31,300$
Horace Mann Elementary School 1,400$ 1,400$
Houses into Homes 8,625$ 15,000$ 15,000$ 10,000$ 15,129$ 7,698$ 71,452$
ICOR Boxing 3,000$ 3,000$
Indigenous Arts Alliance 20,340$ 20,340$
Inside Out Reentry 41,839$ 42,734$ 31,000$ 31,266$ 2,300$ 149,139$
Iowa City Chinese Association 3,000$ 3,000$
Iowa City Compassion 15,000$ 5,000$ 9,560$ 6,000$ 35,560$
Iowa City Downtown District 2,000$ 2,000$
Iowa City Hospice 5,000$ 5,000$
Iowa City Sober Living 7,500$ 7,500$
Iowa Legal Aid 9,300$ 9,300$
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity 26,119$ 10,000$ 26,709$ 27,029$ 10,000$ 27,261$ 127,118$
TotalRecipients
2021 2022 2023 2024
Jessica Tucker (individual artist)1,725$ 1,725$
Johnson Clean Energy District 5,000$ 5,000$
Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition 15,000$ 15,000$
Kirkwood College Sustainability Club 2,500$ 2,500$
Lisa Roberts (individual artist)555$ 555$
Luther Bangert 1,700$ 1,700$
M68 Apts 3,000$ 3,000$
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa 8,075$ 10,000$ 18,075$
NAMI 10,000$ 10,000$
Natural Talent Music 23,725$ 23,725$
Neighborhood Centers of JC 57,000$ 58,759$ 9,509$ 70,000$ 3,500$ 15,500$ 8,000$ 70,601$ 292,869$
Nomadic Foods 4,000$ 4,000$
Northside Neighborhood Association 1,175$ 1,175$
Oaknoll Retirement Residents 9,121$ 9,121$
Old Capitol Quilt Guild 500$ 500$
Open Heartland 14,749$ 9,000$ 13,738$ 37,487$
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 10,000$ 10,000$
Pathways 26,119$ 26,709$ 15,000$ 15,129$ 82,957$
Plated Table 8,000$ 8,000$
PorchLight Literary Arts Center 600$ 1,500$ 2,100$
Prairie Kitchen Store 5,000$ 5,000$
Prelude (MECCA)41,788$ 42,734$ 84,522$
PromptPress 3,000$ 3,000$
Public Space 1/Zen Cohen 2,550$ 7,920$ 2,600$ 3,500$ 6,000$ 22,570$
Red Cedar Chamber Music 817$ 817$
RVAP 26,119$ 26,709$ 28,000$ 28,240$ 109,068$
Sankofa Outreach Connection 15,000$ 15,000$
Shelter House 10,000$ 88,808$ 90,810$ 99,790$ 100,647$ 390,055$
South of 6 Business District 2,000$ 3,500$ 5,500$
Stephanie Miracle (individual artist)2,500$ 2,500$
Sudanese American Community Services 5,000$ 5,000$
Summit Apts 8,750$ 8,750$
Table to Table 32,387$ 33,119$ 40,000$ 40,344$ 145,850$
TRAIL 7,415$ 5,500$ 12,915$
Trinity Episcopal Church 10,000$ 10,000$
Trumpet Blossom 1,000$ 1,000$
UAY 34,525$ 35,256$ 34,500$ 34,796$ 10,500$ 149,577$
University of Iowa Labor Center 20,000$ 20,000$
Wright House of Fashion 25,000$ 7,154$ 32,154$
Young Minds (youth mini grant)500$ 500$
Total 59,190$ 30,000$ 689,250$ 10,251$ 74,824$ 49,820$ 33,625$ 705,434$ 14,200$ 75,000$ 80,387$ 37,575$ 727,200$ 22,210$ 112,725$ 63,055$ 37,000$ 733,444$ 15,780$ 100,000$ 3,670,970$
*Funds are rounded to the nearest dollar