CC MEETING: April 21, 2020
DATE: April 15, 2020
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Laurie Wilson, City Secretary/Admin Services Director
Title
Consider A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Approve Emergency Funding For Metrocrest Services, Inc. In Response To The Covid-19 Pandemic In An Amount Not To Exceed $200,000.00.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Metrocrest Services provides programs for individuals, families, and seniors that lead to self-sufficiency and foster independence in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell, and Dallas in Denton County. They offer a comprehensive bundle of programs to address gaps in finances, health, transportation, and nutrition to holistically end poverty. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Metrocrest has moved to a disaster recovery model to assist children, families, and seniors. Based on current trends, their services will be needed for most of the 2020 year and as such, they have respectfully requested $200,000 in One-Time Emergency Funding to assist with direct costs associated with Food and Housing Assistance.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS:
Since the middle of March 2020, Metrocrest has seen significant increases in demand for food and rent assistance. They have moved to a drive-thru model for the Food Pantry as they continue to provide a week's worth of food for each family along with fresh produce, some toiletry items, toilet paper, and detergent. The Food Pantry demand increased 102% over the past 4 weeks which equates to 3,645 meals being distributed every day. For the week of April 6-11, the organization saw an increase of 376% (5,170 meals per day) over the comparable week last year. They’re facing challenges sourcing enough food to continue to meet the nutritional needs of the community. As their partners like the North Texas Food Bank are running low on food, Metrocrest has reached out to retail partners such as Kroger, Sprouts, Wal-Mart, and others which have very little on the shelf to donate. Metrocrest is partnering with other food distributors to ensure they have an adequate supply, however, these alternative sources are much more expensive.
The most significant issue beyond food is housing assistance. As the primary source for housing assistance in the community, the demand for their Housing Stability programs grew significantly as April rents became due. Metrocrest has projected they will continue assisting over 400 families with rent and lodging in April 2020; they served 73 families in April 2019. In addition to the increased number of requests, the average amount of assistance they contribute will continue rising as a family may have no income after widespread layoffs. The No Eviction rule has helped relieve some of the immediate stress, but tenants will ultimately need to catch up to avoid eviction. Additionally, there are no eviction restrictions for families living in motels.
Carrollton families visited the food pantry 797 times over the past four weeks, 56% over last year. Metrocrest is projecting to spend roughly $250,000 on food for April through July specifically for Carrollton families. Concerning rent assistance, they served 60 Carrollton families (represents 176 individuals) through April 11, 82% over last year. They project serving 550 Carrollton families with rent assistance over the next four months at a cost of $400,000.
The $650,000 in direct costs to serve Carrollton families will partially be supported by this request. They will continue to raise funds from individuals and corporate partners to address the $450,000 gap. Other grant funds will be utilized to cover the cost of staff and additional operational expenses to deliver services. Because of circumstances surrounding COVID-19, Metrocrest has increased infrastructure, including enhancing cleaning and disinfecting, and procuring required supplies to keep our staff, volunteers, and clients safe.
Metrocrest Service will continue to work with City Staff to provide any required information for Federal Funding reimbursement requests such as to FEMA as they did for the 2015 Flood.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff is requesting approval of the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to provide $200,000 in one-time emergency funding to Metrocrest Services.