Submitted By: James Haynes
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Presentation By: James Haynes
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Department: Community Development Services
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve a substantial amendment to the City of Ocala's HUD 2019-2023 Five-Year Consolidated Plan and 2019-2020 Annual Plan to allow $200,000 to be used for rental assistance in the City of Ocala
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Published in the Ocala Star Banner on April 10, 2025
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BACKGROUND:
In February 2021, the City was awarded a second Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV). The City's Community Programs Division identified three sub-recipients with which to partner and carry out approved activities: Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP).
When the CEP opted not to implement a second micro-loan program with the City, the opportunity to partner with Greater Ocala Community Development Corporation (GOCDC) presented itself. GOCDC would identify and qualify micro businesses, consisting of one to five employees, that were negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
On May 2, 2023, the Ocala City Council approved the Consolidated Plan and Annual Plan amendment to partner with GOCDC to execute a micro business loan program on a reimbursement basis. Since that time, GOCDC, like many local non-profits, has experienced a significant drop-off in funding and has indicated an inability to carry out the program due to the nature of the reimbursement requirements of the grant.
After receiving technical assistance from HUD, experiencing the closure of Marion County's largest homeless shelter for a period of time in the winter of 2025 due to COVID cases, and learning of the possibility of that shelter's possible closure for six months for the realignment of services provided, the City proposes to use the CDBG-CV grant money...
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