The City of Plano is entitled to receive Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for persons who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. In fiscal year 2020-21, the City expects to receive HHSP funds in the amount of $138,444 and HHSP Youth Set-Aside funds in the amount of $44,231. All TDHCA funds must be expended during the state’s fiscal year, which begins on September 1, 2021 and ends August 31, 2022.
Texas Government Code §2306.2585 allocates State general funds in the form of HHSP to any municipality with a population of 285,000 or more, per the 1 Year American Community Survey (ACS) data. These funds are appropriated annually by the legislature using a formula allocation. These funds may be used for construction, development or procurement of housing for homeless persons; rehabilitation of structures targeted to serving homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; provision of direct services and case management to homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; or, other homelessness-related activity as approved by TDHCA. Youth Set-Aside funds must be used for youth-headed households, ages 18-24, who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The City of Plano is one of nine cities that receive HHSP funds. Eligible cities may choose whether to receive the funds directly or give their entitlement allocation to a nonprofit entity to serve as the direct funding recipient with TDHCA.
The City of Plano became an HHSP recipient on September 1, 2018. Using a competitive Request for Proposals process, the City of Plano selected a collaborative application between City House, Inc. and the Assistance Center of Collin County to administer a Rapid Re-Housing Program. City House, Inc. serves as the lead agency for the program and ensures that all program recipients receive the necessary services to become self-sufficient. The program, which began in December 2018, provides financial assistance and case management support to assist Plano’s homeless population with obtaining affordable rental housing within Plano city limits. Program participants can receive assistance with security and utility deposits, payment of rental arrears, rental assistance, case management, and payment of essential services as needed, such as transportation or childcare. Since the program’s inception, the program has assisted 72 individuals obtain housing. As participants exit the program, City House tracks housing retention to measure program success. To date, 36 people have maintained their housing at least three months after exiting the program.
TDHCA reimburses the City for expenditures and the City must report monthly on the status of the funds through the State’s online contracting system. Any funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year are returned to the State’s general fund.