Santa Rosa County is seeking public input to help the Escambia/Santa Rosa County Consortium guide its spending plan for its HOME American Rescue Plan Act funding. The funds received are to address specific needs relating to homelessness and housing instability.
Click HERE to complete the online survey. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 16. Paper copies of the survey can be found at all Santa Rosa County Libraries:
- Jay Library, 5259 Booker Lane in Jay
- Milton Library, 5541 Alabama Street in Milton
- Pace Library, 4750 Pace Patriot Boulevard in Pace
- Navarre Library, 8484 James M. Harvell Road in Navarre
- Gulf Breeze Library, 1060 Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze
- Genealogy Library, 6275 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Locations and hours of the libraries can also be found online.
In September 2021, the Escambia County Continuing of Care program (which consists of Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola and the City of Milton) was awarded $4.1 million in HOME-ARP funds.
The HOME-ARP Program is a stand-alone program distinct from the traditional HOME Program. Since the American Rescue Plan Act’s purpose is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on American communities, HOME-ARP funds are reserved for specific eligible activities benefiting specific qualifying populations that are known to have experienced much higher risks of homelessness and housing instability during the pandemic.
Eligible Activities
HOME-ARP funds can be used for four eligible activities.
- Production or Preservation of Affordable Rental Housing
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
- Supportive Services, including services defined at 24 CFR 578.53(e), homeless prevention services, and housing counseling.
- Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter. These structures can remain in use as non-congregate shelters or can be converted to 1) emergency shelter under the Emergency Solutions Grant program; 2) permanent housing under the Continuum of Care; or 3) affordable housing under the HOME Program.
Qualifying Populations
HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the following qualifying populations:
- Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a));
- At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1));
- Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by the Secretary;
- In other populations where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability;
- Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the preceding criteria.
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