Matters ▸ Attachment
SAHTF qtrly upd_ 2nd qtr_Apr_Jun 2019 — File 208719
SOMERVILLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND (SAHTF) – SELECTED SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY
FOR ACTIVITIES DURING 2nd CALENDAR YEAR QUARTER, 2019 (April, May, June)
At the request of the City Council’s appointee to the SAHTF, Trust staff endeavor to prepare information
on a quarterly basis that summarizes actions taken at Trust meetings. The purpose of the summary is to
keep City Council members and the public abreast of Trust activity over the course of the year. Below is
information on Trust activity during the second quarter of calendar year 2019.
April 2019
FY19 CPA RFP Affordable Housing Development Project and Housing Program funding awards—The Trust
awarded a total of $1,705,296 of CPA funds in support of the following project and programs as a part of
two RFPs: an Affordable Housing Development Project RFP and a Housing Program RFP, both issued in
January 2019.
Table 1: FY19 CPA Funding Awards: Affordable Housing Development Project RFP
Somerville Community Corporation
24‐28 Mt. Pleasant Street: SCC plans to purchase
the property and develop six units of rental
housing which will be permanently affordable to
households earning at or below 80% AMI. The six
units will consist of four 3BR and two 2BR units.
$1,620,000
Table 2: FY19 CPA Funding Awards: Housing Program RFP
Somerville Homeless Coalition
Better Homes (Permanent Supportive Housing)
Leasing Differential: Two‐years of rental subsidy
for 6 Somerville households at risk of
homelessness, or in transition out of emergency
shelter system into apartments. Case
management is also provided as part of the
program.
$73,884
RESPOND Inc.
Housing Program for Victims of Domestic
Violence: Flexible rental assistance for up to 6
months for survivors of domestic violence who are
seeking safe, independent housing in Somerville.
Beneficiaries will be any survivor of domestic
violence in Somerville who meets the HUD
homeless definition including sheltered and
unsheltered survivors, and survivors fleeing or
attempting to flee. Survivors may come from
RESPOND's emergency shelter. Case management
provided through the program will be funded
using non‐CPA/Trust sources. Case management
includes housing search, self‐sufficiency programs,
referrals to mainstream programs, and advocacy.
$11,412
Total CPA funds awarded
$1,705,296
The Trust reserved a total of $100,000 of CPA funds for projected awards in support of the following
programs pending progress reporting on current contracts.
Table 3: FY19 CPA Funding Reservations for Housing Programs
Heading Home
Permanent Supportive Housing Leasing
Differential: Rental assistance for 16 chronically
homeless and disabled residents with incomes
below 30% AMI living in 16 rental units at
scattered sites throughout Somerville. Units are
leased by Heading Home and sublet to tenants.
Assistance pays for gap between HUD payment for
monthly rent and actual rent.
$50,000
Community Action Agency of
Somerville
Homelessness Prevention Assistance Fund: Up to
$3,000 assistance in the form of grants and loans
to cover CPA eligible uses for homelessness
prevention (including first and last month's rent
and security deposits).
$50,000
Total CPA funds reserved
$100,000
Trustees encouraged the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) to resubmit a proposal for SHC’s CPA PASS
Expansion Program after other CPA funds previously awarded by the Trust for program have been fully
committed by SHC to clients.
FY19 Affordable Housing Trust Tenancy Stabilization Program Request for Proposals – The Trust awarded a
total of $360,000 to two agencies, each for three year contracts to operate the Trust’s Tenancy
Stabilization Program. The program provides up to $3,000 in grant funds to individuals and households
who are in need of money for first and last month’s rental payments, security deposits and rental arrears
in order to help stabilize clients’ housing situations.
Table 3: FY19 Awards for Trust Tenancy Stabilization Program funds
Somerville Homeless Coalition
Tenancy Stabilization Program for FY20‐FY22
$180,000
Just‐a Start Inc.
Tenancy Stabilization Program for FY20‐FY22
$180,000
Total non‐CPA Trust TSP funds awarded
$360,000
Trustee appointment – Jessica Turner was sworn in as a new Trustee, to occupy a position reserved for a
Somerville resident who qualifies for federal housing programs. Jessica is Co‐President of Clarendon
Tenants United and serves on the board of Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants.
May 2019
Amendment to CPA funding award for 24‐26 Mt. Pleasant Street – Trustees approved a request from the
Somerville Community Corporation for $200,000 of CPA funds in the form of a bridge loan to support the
acquisition of 24‐26 Mt. Pleasant Street. The loan is to be repaid at the end of the construction period and
will help leverage a funding request made by SCC to DHCD.
June 2019
Trustee appointment – Brielle Short was sworn in as a new Trustee to occupy a position reserved for a
representative of a non‐profit organization with a primary purpose of affordable housing. Brielle is the
Supportive Housing Program Manager at SHC (and a Somerville resident).