191493

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1. As a result of the State eviction moratorium and Safe Harbor law expiring on June 30, 2022, and the existing houseless crisis in our region, the City has continued to utilize the full amount of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funding available for use by the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”) and other federal funds for eviction prevention and rent assistance programs through the Portland Housing Bureau.
2. As a result of one in five Portlanders being at risk of eviction and an estimated $25 million in rental arrears being accrued each month, the Portland Housing Bureau continues to work with our jurisdictional and community partners to develop a rent relief program to those experiencing the greatest adverse impacts of COVID-19, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities, people living with a disability, and other vulnerable populations with very low incomes.
3. Multnomah County has made an additional $371,447 in ARPA funding available to the City for eviction prevention and emergency rent assistance earmarked for the City’s Expanded Partner Network (“EPN”). Thus, the City through Portland Housing Bureau, will execute and administer the EPN rent assistance contracts .
4. Due to the urgent and immediate need to begin disbursing relief funds, the Council finds it necessary to delegate contract and agreement execution authority to the Portland Housing Bureau Director to manage the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, The Council directs:

1. The Commissioner in Charge is hereby authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland and appropriate a grant in the amount of $371,447 in Federal American Rescue Plan funds from the Multnomah County and to execute a grant agreement (the “IGA”) similar to Exhibit A attached hereto.
2. The Director of the Portland Housing Bureau is authorized to accept, on behalf of the City of Portland, any subsequent modifications by Multnomah County for American Rescue Plan funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, provided such modifications do not increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk. In doing so, the Portland Housing Bureau Director is authorized to execute amendments to the IGA. Any modifications or amendments to the IGA that increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk must be authorized by the Portland City Council.
3. The Portland Housing Bureau Director is hereby authorized to execute, amend, and terminate contracts and agreements funded by the County ARPA grant. The contract terms, and the Director’s authority to execute and amend such contracts, expire on December 31, 2024.
4. The FY 2023/2024 budget is hereby amended as follows:

GRANTS FUND

Fund 217

Business Area – HC00

Bureau Program Expenses – $371,447

Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would unnecessarily delay the City’s, the County’s and Home Forward’s ability to perform the activities authorized by the grant and required by statute; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.