Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: August 6, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Tanya Wilson, AICP, Director Planning, Environmental, and Development Services Department
CONTACT: Mitchell Glasser, Manager
PHONE: 407-836-5190
DIVISION: Housing and Community Development
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of 1) Project Administration Subrecipient Agreement (#2024-11-09) between Orange County, Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. regarding the Emergency Solutions Grant (“ESG”) Program - Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026 in the amount of $258,000; 2) Project Administration Subrecipient Agreement (#2024-11-10) between Orange County, Florida and Covenant House Florida, Inc. regarding the Emergency Solutions Grant (“ESG”) Program - Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026 in the amount of $116,242; and 3) Project Administration Subrecipient Agreement (#2024-11-11) between Orange County, Florida and SALT Outreach, Inc. regarding the Emergency Solutions Grant (“ESG”) Program - Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026 in the amount of $100,000. All Districts (Housing and Community Development Division)
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PROJECT: Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program- Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) Homeless Services
PURPOSE: On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made a special allocation of $512,694 to Orange County in the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program funds to address the needs of homeless individuals and families or individuals and families at risk of homelessness in areas affected by major declared disasters that were not otherwise served or met by existing federal disaster relief programs. This special allocation of Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funding was in response to the President’s major disaster declarations for Hurricane Helene (DR-4828-FL) and Hurricane Milton (DR-4834-FL). On March 11, 2025, the Board approved a grant agreement for ESG-RUSH funding to award funds for eligible ESG-RUSH activities; Orange County Housing and Community Development Division solicited applications from qualified non-profit organizations through a competitive Request for Applications (RFA) process. As a result of the RFA, three projects were selected to receive funds. Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. is proposed to be funded in the amount of $258,000 to provide rapid re-housing services for qualified homeless individuals and households impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Covenant House Florida, Inc. is proposed to be funded in the amount of $116,242 to provide homelessness prevention services to qualified unaccompanied youth (ages 18 through 24) at risk of homelessness and housing instability due to Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton events. SALT Outreach, Inc. is proposed to be funded in the amount of $100,000 to provide street outreach services, to include mobile drop-in center engagement and case management services, to individuals who were experiencing homelessness during Hurricane Helene and/or Milton events. The total amount awarded to these three agencies is $474,242. The remainder of the ESG-RUSH funds ($38,452, or 7.5% of the allocation amount) will be utilized by the County for program administration activities. To comply with HUD regulations and efficiently implement these projects, we must execute Subrecipient Agreements with the non-profit service providers. The agreements have been reviewed by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
BUDGET: N/A