Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution to Expand the Program Categories under the Community Support Grant Program
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance Quality of Life
MEETING DATE: March 4, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Development
CONTACT: Margaret Li, Housing and Community Development Director
Shirletta Best, Community Services Administrator
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approve the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• McKinney continues to provide resources for individuals experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness through various programs.
• Staff provided the city’s Annual Update on Homelessness in November 2024, which included a goal to identify additional locations and resources for overnight warming station centers through community and faith-based organizations that could provide temporary shelter for unhoused persons or families.
• In preparation of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 budget and Community Support Grant (CSG) cycle, staff consulted with other city departments and current nonprofit service providers regarding the needs of the current warming station and potential cooling stations. Staff determined that an expanded category under the CSG would help service providers expand their service capabilities.
• Staff request City Council approval for the addition of a new category, Homelessness Response, within the funding priorities of the CSG program.
• The Homelessness Response category will enhance and strengthen city coordination among service providers; and provide greater flexibility to enhance capacity for temporary shelters during inclement weather.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The CSG has been allocated funding through the General Fund in the Annual Budget since 2007. Funding is available to eligible nonprofit service providers and city administered activities, to provide public services toward the health, safety, and welfare of McKinney residents. Nonprofit applicants may apply for a minimum of $3,000 or more during each grant cycle through an annual application process.
• Current grant prioritization categories under the CSG include:
o Basic Needs (including food and clothing, housing and shelter, non-financial assistance);
o Health and Medical Treatment (including mental health);
o Housing (including financial assistance); and
o Transportation
• The proposed new category: Homelessness Response, would include temporary warming and cooling stations.
• Public hearings are conducted by the Community Grants Advisory Commission (CGAC) to review proposals and provide a recommendation for an award of funds. The funding recommendations are forwarded to the City Council for approval.
• Activities awarded under the CSG have agreements with scope of work, reporting, insurance, monitoring, and other program requirements.
• Staff last requested a category change in 2016; which included the removal of the disaster aid and recreation/sports categories from the list of allowable uses, as other existing resources were able and continue to fulfill needs.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• If approved, the new category will be effective October 1, 2025, for FY 2025-2026. The application cycle begins in March 2025. Applicants are undetermined currently. Upon completion of the FY 2025-2026 grant cycle, the CGAC will make proposed funding recommendations for City Council approval. They will conduct a public hearing of these recommendations in October 2025.
o Agencies awarded funding under the new category would provide warming stations or cooling stations as applicable, within the period of October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• The Community Grants Advisory Commission approved the expanded category recommendation on February 27, 2025.