Update on the Family Stabilization Grant Program--Contract approved by Council
From Action taken by the City Council during the meeting of: Thursday, April 18, 2024
"City Council 31. Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract for family stabilization grant program services with FII-National d/b/a Family Independence Initiative, in an amount not to exceed $1,336,000. [Note: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established]. Approved on Consent"
Read the City of Austin Recommendation for Action on the Family Stabilization Grant Program here
Can residents apply for this assistance?
Due to the limited number of families supported by this program, the City of Austin is not utilizing an open application process to enroll and select families. Instead we will be utilizing the expertise and relationships of several community partners to enroll participants that meet the eligibility criteria.
For the Guaranteed Income Pilot, the City of Austin's Equity Office successfully partnered with the following organizetions in collaboration with UpTogether; however, organizations for the Family Stabilization Grant Program are to be determined.
- Go Austin/Vamos Austin
- Austin Area Urban League
- allgo
- Kind Clinic
- Austin Asian Community Health Initiative
- Saffron Trust
- A New Entry
- BASTA
- Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas
- Refugee Services of Texas
- Communities of Color United
Background
On August 16, 2023, Austin City Council adopted the FY23-24 Budget, which included a budget amendment in the amount of $1.3 million for the family stabilization grant program, which is meant to build off of the successful guaranteed income pilot that concluded August 2023. Results from the pilot program can be read here. The contract for the administration program has not been approved by City Council, yet.
How will the participants be selected/vetting criteria?
The vetting process will prioritize households/families who have been directly impacted by substantial economic hardship. Proposed eligibility criteria include:
- Have a household income at or below 80% AMFI.
- Did not receive funding through the previous UpTogether pilots (specifically the 2021-22 Central Texas 12-month Pilot and the 2022-23 Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot)
- We will focus on (but not require) applicants with dependents in their household.
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Experience economic hardship, as defined by two or more of the following:
- Live in opportunity zip codes within the Eastern Crescent
- Missed housing and/or utility payments due to financial difficulties
- Displaced within the past 2 years
- Inability to afford quality childcare
- Children or dependents enrolled at Title 1 schools
- Lack of access to affordable, quality healthcare
- Un/under employment; not earning a living wage
Additionally, the primary participant must be at least 18 years old.
What are the specific success metrics we're looking for in the key impact areas?
The Equity Office will work with the proposed partner, UpTogether, to determine key performance indicators and benchmarks. Some of those metrics will be guided by capacity assessments of participants throughout the program including their ability to afford basic necessities, to establish savings, caretakers’ ability to support family such as children, people with disabilities, and elders, and ability to earn more or achieve both short- and long-term career and life goals.
How long is the program? How many families?
This has not been confirmed yet, but the proposed length of the program is 12 months and for approximately 97 families at $1,000/month.