The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners approved use of federal HOME-ARP funds to expand supportive services for people at risk of homelessness.
Commissioner Hanslick moved to allocate $791,473.44 in HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds for supportive services, nonprofit operating and capacity-building grants as recommended by the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee. Commissioner Brewer seconded the motion; the board approved the allocation on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Housing services director Heather McNeve told commissioners the minimum number of households to be served is 152 and staff expects to serve between 150 and 200 households depending on awards and service levels. Public commenter Rita Carr, director of community planning at United Community Services and the Continuum of Care lead agency, urged the county to coordinate tracking across agencies to measure how many households remain housed after assistance and suggested a shared database or reporting approach.
Commissioners discussed the one-time nature of HOME-ARP funding and the requirement to spend funds within federal deadlines; Commissioner Brewer noted the fund has a spend-down deadline in 2030 and urged careful tracking. McNeve confirmed she will return with outcome reporting and that each subrecipient included leveraged case management or other match in proposals.
The board delegated authority to the director of planning, housing and community development to execute agreements with subrecipients and authorized reallocation and expenditure of general-fund balances for FY25 up to the approved amount.