Agenda 08/12/2025 Item #16D 3 (Second version to the HOME-ARP allocation plan)8/12/2025
Item # 16.D.3
ID# 2025-2339
Executive Summary
Recommendation to approve the second revision to the HOME-ARP allocation plan as required by the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (Housing Grant Fund 1835)
OBJECTIVE: To provide funding for activities which support comprehensive affordable housing for those that are
experiencing homelessness, at-risk of homelessness and other vulnerable populations.
CONSIDERATIONS: On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) into
law, which provided over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact on the economy, public health, State and
local governments, individuals, and businesses. To address the need for homelessness assistance and supportive
services, Congress appropriated $5 billion in ARP funds to be administered through the HOME Investment Partnership
Program (HOME) to perform four activities that must primarily benefit qualifying individuals and families who are
homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations. These activities include: (1) development and
support of affordable housing, (2) tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA), (3) provision of supportive services; and (4)
acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units.
On September 22, 2021, Collier County received notice of the HOME-ARP award in the amount of $2,729,078. Collier
County was required to prepare and submit a HOME-ARP allocation plan in accordance with the Housing and Urban
Development HOME-ARP notice. On December 14, 2021, Agenda Item#16.D.24, the Board authorized the County
Manager to accept the HOME-ARP grant award and approve the HOME-ARP allocation plan and associated documents
for submission to HUD.
Once the grant award was accepted, staff completed the necessary planning activities to develop the HOME-ARP
allocation plan to include a public hearing and survey to obtain public comment. On February 27, 2023, in accordance
with the HOME-ARP Notice, Collier County submitted the HOME-ARP allocation plan to US Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD). Upon review, a scrivener’s error was identified in the number of HOME-ARP assisted
units included in the plan. After consultation with HUD, staff was advised to revise the allocation plans production goal
to accurately reflect the intended scale and scope of the project to align with the HOME funded per unit subsidy
requirement. On August 13, 2024, Agenda Item #16.D.3, the Board approved the revision to update the number of
affordable units produced with HOME-ARP funds from 100 units to 10 units.
A second revision to the HOME-ARP plan is required due to the original subrecipient’s project being unable to meet the
qualifying population criteria outlined by the HOME-ARP program, prompting the County to reprogram the funds.
Furthermore, on April 30, 2025, HUD notified the County of an additional HOME-ARP allocation of $4,105, increasing
the total award to $2,733,183. On July 8, 2025, Agenda Item # 16.D.3 the Board approved the additional allocation and
authorized the chairman to sign the revised award agreement.
The HOME-ARP allocation plan reflects the revised total award and incorporates newly added activities. Subrecipient
agreements will be presented to the Board at a future meeting.
As required by the County’s Citizen Participation Plan and HUD, a notice was published in the Naples Daily News on
June 4, 2025. The advertisement identified the 30-day public comment period from June 6, 2025 to July 6, 2025. A
public hearing was also held on June 19, 2025, from 9:00am to 11:00am. As of the agenda publication, no public
comments were received.
Upon approval, staff will submit the revised HOME-ARP allocation plan to Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
for their acceptance.
This item is consistent with the Collier County strategic plan objective to support comprehensive affordable housing
opportunities.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no new fiscal impact for this revision. HOME-ARP funds are available in Housing Grant
Fund (1835) Project 33777.
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8/12/2025
Item # 16.D.3
ID# 2025-2339
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management impact associated with this Item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and
legality and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve the second revision to the HOME-ARP allocation plan as required by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Housing Grant Fund 1835)
PREPARED BY: Tracey Smith, Grants Coordinator II, Community and Human Services Division
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Collier County - HOME ARP Allocation Plan Aug 2025
Page 2565 of 3949
Community and Human Services Division
3339 East Tamiami Trail
Health and Public Services Building H, Room 213
Naples, Florida 34112
Office: (239) 252-4228:
Website: https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-
services/divisions/community-and-human-services-division
Revision #1: 08/13/2024
Revision #2: 08/12/2025
Collier County, FL
HOME-American Rescue Plan
Allocation Plan
Page 2566 of 3949
2
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3
Consultation .......................................................................................................................... 3
Public Participation .............................................................................................................. 10
Needs Assessment and Gaps Analysis ................................................................................... 12
HOME-ARP Activities ........................................................................................................... 20
HOME-ARP Production Housing Goals .................................................................................. 22
Preferences .......................................................................................................................... 23
HOME-ARP Refinancing Guidelines ....................................................................................... 23
HOME-ARP Supporting Documentation ................................................................................ 24
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3
HOME-ARP Allocation Plan
Participating Jurisdiction: Collier County, Florida Date: 2/14/2023
Revised: 08/13/2024
Revised: 08/12/2025
Introduction
In September 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced
the allocation of $2,729,078 to Collier County, Florida for a new grant called the HOME
Investment Partnerships Grant American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP). On April 30, 2025, Collier
County was notified by HUD of a $4,105.00 increase in its HOME-ARP allocation, increasing the
total award to $2,733,183.00. The purpose of HOME-ARP funds is to provide homelessness
assistance and supportive services through several eligible activities. Eligible activi ties include
acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter, tenant based rental assistance (TBRA),
supportive services, HOME-ARP rental housing development through acquisition, rehabilitation
or construction, administration and planning, and nonprofit operating and capacity building
assistance.
HOME-ARP funds must primarily assist people in HOME-ARP "qualifying populations” (QPs),
which include:
▪ Sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations
▪ Those currently housed populations at risk of homelessness
▪ Those fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence or human trafficking
▪ Other families requiring services or housing assistance or to prevent homelessness and those
at greatest risk of housing instability or in unstable housing situations
To receive funding, the County must develop a HOME -ARP Allocation Plan which describes the
distribution of HOME-ARP funds and identifies any preferences for eligible activities. This Plan
will be submitted and approved by HUD. The development of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan
must also be informed through stakeholder consultation and public engagement. The following
is the County’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan.
Consultation
Summarize the consultation process:
Collier County’s consultation process primarily consisted of the dissemination and feedback
received via an online survey and one-on-one discussions. The online stakeholder survey was
developed and disseminated in order to capture broad assessments of the community needs and
areas for ARP allocation, as well as capturing stakeholders’ direct observational insights and
assessments of the unmet needs of QPs. The online survey was open from June 20, 2022 through
August 15, 2022. The survey included seven ARP program-specific questions and one open-ended
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4
comment for community needs assessment. The survey received 14 respondents, including those
representing homeless services providers, Fair Housing agencies, affordable housing developers,
domestic violence advocacy groups, and others. The Continuum of Care (CoC) and three other
homeless service providers were consulted with via direct interviews.
List the organizations consulted, and summarize the feedback received from these entities.
Agency/Org
Consulted
Type of
Agency/Org
Method of
Consultation Feedback
Hunger &
Homeless Coalition
of Collier County
CoC Lead Interview Rental housing development would be the best
use of HOME-ARP funds. There is no affordable
rental inventory, and the County is not currently
addressing the issue. There are several hotel
properties that would be good options for
conversion to rental housing. The County is also
in need of low barrier shelter, specifically for
chronically homeless and disabled individuals. St
Matthews has a great program, but it does not
meet the needs of this population. The County
does not have a true low-barrier, Housing First
emergency shelter. More accessible mental
health services are needed. The County has a
great mental health provider, but individuals
experiencing homelessness do not have access
to services. The county needs a walk-in mental
health clinic. The Tenant Based Rental
Assistance (TBRA) program that currently exists
with HOME funds does not provide assistance to
homeless households quickly enough. The
Section 8 waitlist currently is seven years long
and the Housing Authority isn’t expanding.
Collier County
Housing Authority
Housing
Authority
Survey The County has a lack of affordable housing and
high rental rates and needs to increase
inventory of housing units for low-income
populations. Acquisition and rehab are the best
uses of HOME-ARP funds for rental housing
development.
David Lawrence
Centers for
Behavioral Health
Continuum of
Care Staff/
Member,
Homeless Service
Provider,
Organization
Serving People
with Disabilities,
Veterans' Group,
Survey The biggest gaps are low barrier homeless
shelters and affordable housing for all. We also
need more outreach and prevention services,
mental health and addiction services and
supports, supportive transitional and permanent
housing apartments, group homes, housing for
Veterans and seniors, etc. Collier needs more
supportive housing, meaning we need
affordable housing stock increased WITH
supportive services to assist those in the housing
to be successful (in the way of case
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5
Behavioral
Health Service
Provider
management, mental health counseling,
addiction counseling, etc.). Needs of those
struggling with mental health and addiction
challenges who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness has been further exacerbated by
the psychological toll of the pandemic. Cost of
rentals are not affordable, and many residents
are leaving the area. Plans for these funds need
to be coordinated with and alighted with the
strategic goals of the local Continuum of Care
and other workgroups/focus groups that have
been working to address this issue.
Collier County -
Bayshore/Gateway
Triangle - Naples,
FL
Local
Government
Agency; Fair
Housing
Survey Shelters and housing inventory are not
complete. There is a need to form a
subcommittee to keep a better track of the
inventory as well as working with NABOR to
provide accurate information with a software
system to add or remove properties.
Homeless prevention by education and
programs to assist with self-sufficiency classes
and monthly budgeting classes being offered
with some sort of computer training for work Is
needed. Without the assistance to teach how to
look for jobs and be self-reliant people do not
know how to be motivated to search and do the
work. Ensuring the population in need, work for
the services will bring up their confidence,
making them self-accountable and reliable.
Providing them with the tools to be self-
sufficient through education will help get them
the help they need.
St Matthews
House
Homeless Service
Provider
Interview Collier County has been experiencing an
affordable housing crisis since Hurricane Irma in
2017. Rents have been increasing and new
rental developments are not affordable to the
qualifying populations. A growing subset of the
homeless population is persons with disabilities
and seniors. Often [Assisted Living Facility] ALF
beds are not available for these individuals, and
they are not the right fit for the shelter
programs. Housing specifically for persons with
mental health disorders is also a high need.
Affordable rental housing development would
be the best use of funds for the County.
Conversion of nonresidential building to housing
seems like it would be the most efficient, but
there is a lack of buildings to convert. The areas
where affordable housing development has
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6
been discussed in the past are not close to
supportive services and transportation would
become an issue.
Immokalee Fair
Housing Alliance,
Inc
Low-income
Affordable
Housing
Survey The County needs to provide grants and loans
for development of low-income rental housing
for families with children born in US even if their
parents are not citizens or legal residents.
Affordable housing is the missing link to help
low-income families escape from exploitation
and poverty.
20th Judicial
Circuit
Legal; Civil Rights Survey We need A LOT of affordable and safe rental
units. There are a lot of jobs and opportunities
here, but they don't pay enough for people to
take those jobs and live locally. I think we should
convert commercial property to higher density
housing and/or mixed use, so that affordable
units could be closer to the jobs and public
transportation hubs. We need to utilize some of
the struggling strip-mall locations to revitalize
them as mixed use, affordable housing, which
could include non-congregate shelter housing. It
has pained me to see rental assistance come
through, only to have landlords evict or non-
renew a month or two later. I'm grateful for
funds that buy the tenant a bit of time, but it's
ultimately wasted money, as there is no return
on investment beyond that immediate month.
The tenant will still be displaced and has no
longer-term solution for having enjoyed the
benefit of that rental assistance. We have to use
band-aids to stop bleeding, but it's frustrating
that there's no lasting benefit from that aid.
Nothing is improved by it.
Home Base Florida
Veteran and
Family Care
Veteran’s Group Survey Non-profits often provide agility, flexibility and
subject matter expertise to respond to issues
like these in ways government often can't.
Increasing support through public-private
partnerships with reporting requirements and
grant applications that aren't administratively
burdensome are the key to making impactful,
long-term impacts within our community. I
believe that organizations like Wounded
Warriors of Collier County, St Matthews and
David Lawrence deserve the lion’s share of the
HOME-ARP funds as they are the community
leaders making the difference in the lives of
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individuals every day. Their ability to address
homelessness is largely driven by financial
resources or lack of. Government housing is
something no government in the world.
Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) and
Mental Health go hand in hand with
homelessness. Improving access to quality
behavioral health should be integral to
addressing homelessness.
Community
Assisted &
Supported Living
Homeless Service
Provider,
Organization
Serving People
with Disabilities
Interview Rental housing development is the largest need.
Affordable housing stock is the main problem.
Our new developments are filled with 100
households in less than 50 days and quickly
reach a 2-4 year waiting list. Non-congregate
shelter is needed, but shelter is only temporary
and finding permanent affordable housing is still
an issue. TBRA is not beneficial because tenants
are having issues finding units to rent.
Supportive services such as mental health
treatment, substance abuse treatment, and
medical services are also needed, but these
services cannot be successful if the person does
not have stable housing. Permanent supportive
housing and the housing first model are
successful. New construction of housing is a
better use of funds as opposed to rehab,
because it is more sustainable, and the building
will last longer. Deals are more difficult now
than ever due to rising costs. HOME-ARP should
be leveraged with other funding sources, such as
SHIP.
Collier County
Sheriff’s Office
Mental Health
and Substance
Use
Survey The biggest gap is inadequate amount of
affordable (less than $2000/month) rental
houses and apartments. Rental properties that
will accept vouchers, etc. for housing are nearly
nonexistent. The county needs to support the
construction of affordable housing through
policy development, and push builders to
comply. Collier's supportive services don't have
an adequate inventory of affordable housing
opportunities to refer clients to. Collier needs
more non-congregate housing particularly for
Veterans.
Habitat for
Humanity of
Collier County
Fair Housing
Organization
Survey Inventory of affordable homes for purchase
(primary method of stabilizing workforce), and
inventory of affordable rental units (with long
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8
term affordability periods). Affordable rental
housing development is the most significant
area of need. HOME funds should be deployed
to purchase land and assist in construction costs
to ensure affordability in this high-cost market.
ABLE Academy Organization
Serving People
with Disabilities
Survey The cost of housing, medical services, and
therapy services keep rising in our area. Wages
for many of the families we serve do not. Our
families are in a really hard spot. Especially
coming off of COVID, where many families lost
income.
Collier County
Probation
Misdemeanor
Supervision
Survey I see a lack of affordable housing for workers. In
an attempt to elevate our community's status,
we have ignored housing needs of our vital
service workforce, much to our detriment.
Acquisition/construction/rehab of affordable
properties will enhance community while
reducing traffic of would-be commuters.
Collier County
Child Advocacy
Council, Inc.
Victims of Child
Abuse, Sexual
Abuse
Survey There’s not enough shelter or affordable
housing inventory. Need to develop more
affordable housing, and rental units. Also need
more case management, specific to helping
individuals obtaining housing, help with
budgeting, and childcare.
The Shelter for
Abused Women &
Children
Domestic
Violence Service
Provider /
Homeless Service
Provider
Survey Emergency Shelter for survivors is addressed in
this community by The Shelter. Funding for
additional transitional housing units and funding
to maintain those units are needed. Permanent
housing units are needed for survivors when
they exit emergency shelter or graduate from
The Shelter's Transitional Housing Program.
Funds are needed for the staff that address the
immediate needs of survivors via emergency
shelters. These staff members could help
survivors attain housing. Additionally, funding to
help support the operations of The Shelter's safe
havens would be a useful way to address the
needs of survivors in Collier County. More
affordable rental housing units are needed, and
these units need to be designated for victims of
domestic violence and human trafficking.
Funding could be used for acquiring units.
County Emergency
Management
Disaster- All-
hazards concerns
Survey Unmet need: Absence of sufficient homeless
day-shelter resources for health, hygiene,
counseling and severe weather refuge. High
priority should be given to homeless families or
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9
those with fragile health conditions. Look at the
"tiny-house" as a possible resource where these
micro-home parks- have been successfully
operated.
Wounded Warriors
of Collier County,
Inc
Veterans' Group
/ Homeless
Service Provider
Survey Gaps: 1. Low Demand housing - Homeless that
St Matthews will not house.
2. Funds available for immediate emergency
housing
3. No HUD/VASH vouchers in Collier County
4. Lack of priority by Collier County to provide
housing for homeless. Temporary shelters.
TBRA: Make funding available to agencies &
charities who have direct contact with the
individual. Use agencies in Collier County - not
Lee and SWFL organizations. For affordable
housing, rehabilitation & acquisition - building
takes too long. Cut the red tape with zoning
and permitting. Waive fees and processing
time. Many seniors are not equipped and
experience to use PC and the internet for
information and filling out applications. Many
are in need for wrap around services. Housing
is just the 1st step. 90% of homeless have some
level of mental health issues. Some don't won't
housing
but need services that can be provided by low
demand housing, i.e., one or two nights.
Youth Haven Homeless Service
Provider
Interview Youth Haven has a teen transitional housing
program, Rob’s Cottage, for youth aged 16-20.
There is a lack of affordable housing for youth to
transition to when they age out of the program.
It can take six months for them to find housing.
Many youth are in need of rental assistance as
they transition, but they do not qualify for many
of the federal rental assistance programs. The
need for mental health services is growing,
especially with youth. Families can not find
access to timely mental health care. There are
many job openings in the city, but people can
not afford to live in the communities where they
work. Geographically accessible affordable
housing is needed. The HOME-ARP allocation is
not a lot of money to work with, but all eligible
activities are needed. As long as the funding is
spent quickly, any use will benefit the County.
Page 2574 of 3949
Public Participation
Describe the public participation process, including information about and the dates of the
public comment period and public hearing(s) held during the development of the plan:
• Notice of 1st public hearing published in Naples Daily News on 07/21/2022
• Public hearing: 8/8/2022
• Notice of public hearing published in Naples Daily News on 01/26/2023
• Public comment period: start date 1/26/2023 end date 02/10/2023
• Public hearing: 2/9/2023
• Notice to revise Allocation Plan due to scrivener’s error in the number of HOME-ARP
assisted units published in Naples Daily News on 05/13/2024.
• Public hearing: 06/04/2024
• Public comment period: start date 05/14/2024 end date 06/14/2024
Public Participation – Substantial Amendment
A substantial amendment is required because the original subrecipient of HOME-ARP funds
notified the County that their proposed activity no longer meets the eligibility criteria for the
qualifying populations. As a result, the County must reprogram the HOME-ARP funds. The
County has received an additional allocation of $4,105.00 from HUD, further supporting the
need for this amendment.
• Notice of public hearing published in the Naples Daily News on 06/04/2025
• Public hearing: 06/19/2025
• Public comment period: start date 06/06/2025 end date 07/06/2025
Describe any efforts to broaden public participation:
The 2023 Substantial Amendment to the PY2021 Action Plan recognizing new HOME-ARP funding
was publicly noticed for a 30-day public comment period in accordance with the Collier County’s
Citizen Participation Plan and with HUD regulations. The HOME-ARP Substantial Amendment was
advertised in the Naples Daily News on July 21, 2022 and January 26, 2023.
The public comment period ran from January 26, 2023 through February 10, 2023. An initial
public hearing was held on August 8, 2022 during the planning phase of the Allocation Plan. A
second public hearing was held on February 9, 2023 at 9 AM to review the draft Substantial
Amendment to the 2021 Annual Action Plan. One public comment was received during the
advertising period. Copies of public comments are included in this plan.
In addition to the public notice and public comment period, Collier County requested
key stakeholders in the community to participate in the online survey and/or direct interviews.
Key stakeholders included representatives of social service organizations, homeless services
providers, neighborhood associations, the CoC, the Housing Authority and other nonprofit
organizations. Collier County also posted the public notice and draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan
to the County’s website and published a notice of public hearing in the Naples Daily News.
10
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The 2025 Substantial Amendment to the PY2021 Action Plan recognizing the additional allocation
of HOME-ARP funding and reprogramming to eligible activities was publicly noticed for a 30 -day
public comment period in accordance with the Collier County’s Citizen Participation Plan and
HUD regulations. The HOME-ARP Substantial Amendment was advertised in the Naples Daily
News on June 4, 2025. The public comment period ran from June 6, 2025 through July 6, 2025. A
public hearing was held on June 19, 2025, during the substantial amendment phase. A second
public hearing was held on July 8, 2025 at 9 AM to review the draft Substantial Amendment to
the 2021 Annual Action Plan and additional allocation. No comments were received during the
advertising period.
Summarize the comments & recommendations received through the public
participation process:
With the original submission of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, Collier County received one
written submission containing three comments during the public comment period for the
amendment of the Action Plan to receive HOME-ARP.
No public comments were made during the public hearing. The submitted written
comments recommended imposing a residency requirement of two years in order to receive
assistance from the HOME-ARP program, working through private developers for the
construction or management of housing, and segmentation and targeting of the homeless
population.
Summarize any comments or recommendations not accepted and state the reasons why:
The HOME-ARP funding is intended to support the provision of affordable housing for
qualified populations which already meet significant impediments to housing. Imposing
additional restrictions will increase barriers to housing and the County will not explore
such residency requirements. The County acknowledges that individuals experiencing
Homelessness have different needs both from a housing and support service perspective. However, while some activities, such as job training, may be eligible under McKinney-
Vento, the support of the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing has
consistently been identified as a priority need in Collier County.
11Page 2576 of 3949
12
Needs Assessment and Gaps Analysis
Describe the size and demographic composition of qualifying populations within the PJ’s
boundaries:
Homeless as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
The CoC releases an annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count that includes valuable data for addressing
the needs of residents who are experiencing homelessness. The 2020 Naples/ Collier County CoC
PIT count data was used to capture the most recent and relevant homeless population data due
to alterations in methodology during the 2021 count to mitigate the effects of the COVID -19
pandemic.
According to the 2020 PIT count, White/ Caucasian residents are the largest demographic of
people experiencing homelessness. Just over 78% of people experiencing homelessness are
White/ Caucasian, 14% are Black or African American, and the remainder are American Indian or
Alaskan Native, Asian, or multi-racial. 30% percent of overall homeless are Hispanic/ Latino. 62%
of homeless individuals identify as Male. 78% are over the age of 24 and 21% being under the
age of 18, mostly in households with other adults. About 13% were reported as chronically
homeless. 127 individuals reported having a mental illness, 155 reported having a substance use
disorder, 27 are veterans, 10 are unaccompanied youth, and 95 are victims of domestic violence.
[Notice CPD-21-10: Requirements for the Use of Funds in the HOME-American Rescue Plan
Program - Veterans and Families that include a Veteran Family Member that meet the criteria for
one of the qualifying populations are eligible to receive HOME-ARP assistance]
Homeless Needs Inventory and Gap Analysis Table
Homeless
Current Inventory Homeless Population Gap Analysis
Family Adults Only Vets Family
HH (at
least 1
child)
Adult
HH
(w/o
child)
Vets
Victims
of DV
Family Adults Only
# of
Beds
# of
Units
# of
Beds
# of
Units
# of
Beds
# of
Beds
# of
Units
# of
Beds
# of
Units
Emergency
Shelter 92 28 140 140 0
Transitional
Housing 54 20 144 144 6
Sheltered
Homeless
52 270 2 76
Unsheltered
Homeless
7 142 25 19
Current Gap
+87 -11 -131 -131
Data Sources: 1. Point in Time Count (PIT); 2. Continuum of Care Housing Inventory Count (HIC); 3. Consultation
Page 2577 of 3949
13
Populations At-risk of Homelessness as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
HUD defines those at risk of homelessness as individuals and families who have an income at or
below 30% of the area median income (AMI), do not have sufficient resources or support
networks to prevent them from becoming homeless, or live with instability. Using HUD's 2014-
2018 Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data, the county has 12,075
households with incomes at or below 30% AMI, (over 8% of all County households). Forty-eight
percent of these households are renter households. Households at-risk of homelessness include
an estimated 21,785 households who are extremely cost burdened, paying over 50% of their
income toward housing and 23,315 who are cost burdened (above 30%, less than 50%). An
estimated 15,380 LMI (<=80% AMI) renters are cost burdened at the 30% mark, approximately
11% of total households in the County. The County’s demographic makeup is primarily 84.5%
White/ Caucasian and 28% Hispanic or Latino (American Community Survey (ACS) 2016 -2020).
According to ACS data 20,184 renters in the County were cost burdened between 2016-2020. Of
those renters, 27.7% were over the age of 65. Additionally, according to ACS data, 27.67% (5,585
households) of cost burdened renters earned less than $20,000 between 2016-2020, while only
approximately 2,366 rental units offer a gross rent price within the needed range to prevent being
cost burden. In other words, there is a lack of about 3,219 affordable rental units for households
making under $20,000 a year.
Fleeing, or Attempting to Flee, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or
Human Trafficking, as defined by HUD in the Notice
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 37.9% of women and 29.3% of
men in Florida experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence
and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. Statistics from the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement document that there was a total of 1,686 domestic violence offenses with 668
arrests in Collier County during 2019.There is no data available regarding size and demographics
of victims of human trafficking. The State of Florida reported 738 human trafficking cases in 2020.
Other populations requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness and other
populations at greatest risk of housing instability, as defined by HUD in the Notice
There is a large overlap between those at-risk of homelessness (above data) and households in
need of assistance to prevent homelessness or at greatest risk of housing instability. Lack of
affordability is the primary issue highlighted in data and consultation. Of the extremely cost
burdened, 4,160 are renting households who are also in the extremely low-income range (<=30%)
and are considered at greatest risk of housing instability.
While there is insufficient data sources that match the exact definition of QP #4, we can glean
general demographics and need from looking at the County’s poverty levels. Poverty is often a
direct correlation as it relates to households requiring housing assistance to prevent
homelessness or to those being at-risk of housing instability. According to ACS, there are 41,222
(11% of County) residents below the poverty level, of which 26% are under 18 years old and
48.8% of those in poverty are above the age of 60. Of those living under the poverty level, an
estimated 32,823 are White, 3,701 are Black or African American, 231 are Asian, 19,059 are
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Latino, and 2,438 are mixed race. There are more females (21,459) under the poverty level than
males (19,763).
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Describe the unmet housing and service needs of qualifying populations:
Homeless as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
The primary unmet need is the availability of units for residents experiencing homelessness. In
particular, there is a need for approximately 130 beds for people who do not have children.
Further, there is a shortage of homeless shelter units for families. During our consultation, many
respondents highlighted the need for additional affordable housing within the County. As well as
the need for supportive services. Stakeholders highlighted the following unmet service needs for
the homeless population: case management, housing counseling, mental health services,
supportive housing, and additional outreach services. It was also noted that there is an absence
of sufficient homeless day-shelter resources for health, hygiene, counseling and severe weather
refuge. Of note, many of the stakeholders highlighted a growing senior and disabled homeless
population and no shelter that meets their needs, access to mental health services is a huge issue.
Populations At-risk of Homelessness as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
The unmet needs for the populations at risk of homelessness include sufficient stock of available,
affordable rental units and resources for rental or utility deposit assistance. Ultimately, there is
a lack of inventory of affordable homes for purchase (primary method of stabilizing workforce),
inventory of affordable rental units (with long term affordability periods). More development of
affordable rental housing units would help ease the financial burden faced by many. More
affordable, supportive transitional and permanent housing apartments, group homes, housing
for Veterans and seniors, etc. would benefit the County. Housing counseling, mental health
services, and legal aid/ landlord mediation for eviction proceedings were highlighted during our
consultation as service needs for the at -risk of homelessness and greatest risk of housing
insecurity.
Further, ACS estimates 54% of the County’s renters are costs burdened (paying over 30% of
income to housing costs). This amounts to a little over 20,637 households who are cost burdened.
Lack of affordable housing inventory and a persistent affordability gap challenge both
populations recovering from homelessness and those households at risk of homelessness or
housing instability. Those at-risk of homeless or housing instability often need short-term
subsidies such as mortgage/rent assistance to avoid foreclosure or eviction, as well as utility
assistance to avoid shutoff or security deposits to allow new rental contracts. Supportive services
such as housing or financial counseling, landlord mediation for eviction proceedings will also
benefit these groups.
Fleeing, or Attempting to Flee, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or
Human Trafficking, as defined by HUD in the Notice
According to the 2022 Domestic Violence Counts Report for Florida conducted by the National
Network to End Domestic Violence victims of domestic violence made 31 requests for shelter,
housing, and other supportive services that providers could not provide. With approximately 90%
of these unmet requests being for housing and emergency shelter. There is one organization in
Collier County that provides emergency shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic
and sexual violence and human trafficking, there are not enough beds available to meet the
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needs of victims in the area. Funding for additional transitional housing units and funding to
maintain those units are needed. Permanent housing units are needed for survivors when they
exit emergency shelter or graduate from The Shelter's Transitional Housing Program.
Other populations requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness and other
populations at greatest risk of housing instability, as defined by HUD in the Notice
The unmet needs for the populations needing assistance to prevent homelessness or at risk of
greater housing instability mirror those from above, including rental payment assistance or utility
deposit assistance and development of affordable rental housing units. Housing counseling,
mental health services, and homeless prevention were highlighted during our consultation as
service needs for those at greatest risk of housing insecurity. Healthcare assistance greatly
benefits those at-risk of housing instability who are also disabled or elderly.
Identify and consider the current resources available to assist qualifying populations, including
congregate and non-congregate shelter units, supportive services, TBRA, and affordable and
permanent supportive rental housing:
There are multiple organizations providing services in Collier County, such as homeless assistance
providers, victim service providers, nonprofit organizations, public housing agencies, mental
health agencies and government-based organizations. Many social service agencies in Collier
County provide benefits to homeless individuals and families to address homelessness. These
organizations provide many services to their clientele, including but not limited to counseling,
case management, life skills training, financial literacy classes, and victim advocacy, all of which
help residents to develop the skills and knowledge to transition into permanent housing or
independent living and to maintain steady employment. The goal of providing supportive services
is self-sufficiency.
The Collier County Housing Authority (CCHA) has been committed to providing safe, decent, and
affordable housing to low-income residents in Collier County since 1966. The CCHA administers
a number of programs, such as the Farm Worker Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program,
and the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, to promote self-sufficiency and economic opportunity
for local residents. These programs are income based and the eligibility requirements are set by
HUD. The CCHA owns and manages four public housing developments: 276 units of low -income
housing in Farm Worker Village, 315 units of farm labor housing also in Farm Worker Village, 30
units of farm labor housing known as Collier Village, and a 192-bed dormitory known as Horizon
Village. In addition, CCHA serves an over 3,100 persons through the administration of the Section
8 rental assistance program and Family Self Sufficiency Program to provide support services to
low, elderly, disabled, and homeless persons living in Collier County.
Collier County partners with the Hunger & Homeless Coalition of Collier County to address the
needs individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The Hunger
& Homeless Coalition of Collier County is a working group whose mission is to “support the
planning, delivery and coordination of high-quality services to the hungry, homeless, and those
at risk of homelessness in our community.” The group also works to provide programs and
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services related to housing, mental and physical health, nutrition, clothing, and education.
According to the 2021 Housing Inventory Count, the Coalition has 91 Rapid Re-Housing beds.
The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples is the only domestic violence center in
Naples. Additionally, the organization is Collier County’s official service provider for human
trafficking victims, as ratified by Collier County Commissioners and Collier County Sheriff’s Office
in 2016. Its services include emergency shelter (where stays average 29 days) and a transitional
housing program (where residents can live for up to 2 years). The organization currently has two
emergency shelters. The Beau Venturi Home, located in Naples, is a 60-bed emergency shelter
serving victims of domestic violence. The Shelley Stayer Shelter, also a 60-bed emergency shelter,
was built in 2020 in Immokalee to serve victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Other
services include a confidential hotline, safety planning, counseling and support groups in English
and Spanish, court advocacy and assistance with daily needs such as food, clothing, toiletries, and
household items.
St. Matthew’s House operates several facilities in Collier County, including emergency and
transitional housing in Naples, an emergency shelter in Immokalee (Immokalee Friendship
House), and transitional supportive apartments for persons with substance abuse or mental
health needs. Other services include a food pantry, thrift store, counseling and case
management, and access to referrals for medical, mental health, and substance abuse needs
through partnerships with other organizations in Collier County.
Youth Haven is a 24-hour residential shelter for children removed from their homes due to abuse,
neglect, or abandonment. In addition to a 23-bed emergency shelter, Youth Haven offers a child
and family counseling center, in-home parenting classes, case management, and a teen drop-in
center with showers, laundry facilities, and meals. Typical length of stays range from 45 to 60
days until children are placed in foster care or with a relat ive.
Providence House provides a faith-based, transitional housing and self-sufficiency program for
motivated women with young children who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. These
women lack the long-term support necessary to acquire the assets foundational to reestablishing
their families. The two-year accountability program not only encourages the development of self-
efficacy, but it also provides women and their children with resources that they need to become
independent. Providence House also offers case management, life skills training, and counseling
referrals.
Wounded Warriors assists with the needs of Veterans and their families, with the focus on
education, housing, and mental health. Wounded Warriors of Collier County is dedicated to
ending Veteran homelessness in Collier County by employing various housing models. Its Alpha
House is a transitional living facility for Veterans struggling with mental health and/or substance
abuse issues. Additionally, it operates the Bravo House, a long-term supportive housing program.
It is a three-bedroom home serving Veterans with fixed incomes.
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The Jewish Family & Children Services (JFCS) provides services to Veterans and their families
through a client-centric approach. JFCS provides care for Veterans to maintain self-sufficiency
and facilitates solutions to living a healthy lifestyle with a support system. Through the Operation
Military Assistance Program (OMAP), Veterans are able to gain the assistance needed to obtain
or maintain permanent housing, removing the barriers to living a stable, comfortable, and more
satisfying life. According to the 2021 Housing Inventory Count, JFCS has 19 SSVF Rapid Re-Housing
beds dedicated to Veteran families.
Collier County will continue to increase its efforts to implement anti-poverty strategies for the
citizens of Collier. The County will strive to increase its efforts in assisting homeowners and
renters with housing rehabilitation and renovation of affordable housing to decrease the
financial burden on low-to-moderate-income persons. Collier County will actively work to
address the need for more decent and affordable housing by continuing to prioritize the
investment of funds into all its housing programs. In the interest of preserving affordable housing,
the County will continue to support the use of HOME program funds for activities such as: down-
payment assistance, land acquisition, TBRA, and single/multifamily acquisitions and
rehabilitation. Additionally, the County will continue to utilize CDBG program funds to
rehabilitate owner-occupied homes.
Identify any gaps within the current shelter and housing inventory as well as the service delivery
system:
As noted above, the primary gap in the shelter and housing inventory is the availability of beds
for households without children. There are only approximately 314 beds available and nearly 412
residents who occupy or need a bed. Additionally, on the 2021 Housing Inventory Chart, there
are 64 permanent supportive housing beds for households without children and 0 permanent
supportive housing beds for families with children.
The availability of housing units does not meet the needs of the qualifying population. There is a
need for quality affordable housing units of multiple sizes in neighborhoods throughout the
County. The renter vacancy rate in 2019 was 7.14% with those rates estimated to be much lower
since the pandemic. Low-income renters are at the greatest risk of being unable to find affordable
units, particularly extremely low-income households.
There is also a gap in emergency shelter and permanent housing assistance for individuals and
families that are fleeing domestic violence. The County has emergency shelter beds that remain
fully occupied with no permanent housing beds (permanent supportive housing, other
permanent housing, rapid rehousing) dedicated to the population.
Identify the characteristics of housing associated with instability and an increased risk of
homelessness if the PJ will include such conditions in its definition of “other populations” as
established in the HOME-ARP Notice:
Collier County recognizes the definition of Other Populations set forth by HUD in the CPD Notice
(Families Requiring Services or Housing Assistance to Prevent Homelessness or At Greatest Risk
of Housing Instability). The criteria related to these categories include households/persons who
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are (1) extremely low-income with a severe cost burden, or households with (2) an annual income
that is less than or equal to 50% of the area median income meet one of the following conditions
from paragraph (iii) of the “At risk of homelessness” definition established at 24 CFR 91.5. No
further characteristics of housing instability have been defined in the County’s Consolidated Plan;
thus the County will use the criteria listed in first six conditions listed in the “At risk of
homelessness” definition established at 24 CFR 91.5. Collier County outlines particular housing
characteristics that have been linked with instability and risks of homelessness in the 2021-2025
Consolidated Plan. The County’s TBRA program will follow the definitions and conditions outlined
in 24 CFR 91.5.
Identify priority needs for qualifying populations:
The analysis above and consultation with key stakeholders have identified the following priority
needs:
1. Development of Affordable Rental Housing including rental rehabilitation
2. Homelessness prevention services, including rental assistance, security & utility deposits
3. Supportive Services (McKinney-Vento Supportive Services, Housing Counseling Services)
Explain how the level of need and gaps in its shelter and housing inventory and service delivery
systems based on the data presented in the plan were determined:
To determine the level of need and gaps Collier County looked at both qualitative and
quantitative measures. Data from the US Census, Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy
(CHAS), 2020 CoC Point in Time Count, and 2020 Housing Inventory Count were used in
partnership with feedback and on-the-ground insights from key stakeholders in the area. The
takeaways from data analysis and stakeholder input were incorporated into the needs
assessment.
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HOME-ARP Activities
Describe the method for soliciting applications for funding and/or selecting developers, service
providers, subrecipients and/or contractors and whether the PJ will administer eligible
activities directly:
The County expects to administer programs directly. Once the County has received the full
HOME-ARP grant award from HUD, the County will conduct a Request for Proposals for a
specified period of time to make it a more competitive process in awarding these funds. During
that time any organization, developer, subrecipient, or Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) is eligible to apply. At the close of the application period, all applications
received will be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and their ability to deliver on the priority
needs identified within this plan. Each applicant will also be reviewed for their ability to carry out
the project meeting all eligibility criteria.
Award(s) will be made based on the applicant’s project scope as it pertains to the outlined priority
needs in this plan as well as the applicant’s familiarity with utilizing federal funding and ability to
comply with all federal and local requirements.
If any portion of the PJ’s HOME-ARP administrative funds were provided to a subrecipient or
contractor prior to HUD’s acceptance of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan because the
subrecipient or contractor is responsible for the administration of the PJ’s entire HOME-ARP
grant, identify the subrecipient or contractor and describe its role and responsibilities in
administering all of the PJ’s HOME-ARP program:
The County will administer the program. The County has not yet expended any of the HOME-ARP
administrative funds to a subrecipient or contractor to administer the HOME-ARP program.
Use of HOME-ARP Funding (Substantial Amendment)
Funding Amount Percent of the
Grant
Statutory
Limit
Supportive Services $0
Acquisition and Development of Non-
Congregate Shelters $0
Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) $288,001.30
Development of Affordable Rental Housing $2,035,820.00
Non-Profit Operating $0 0% 5%
Non-Profit Capacity Building $0 0% 5%
Administration and Planning $409,361.70 15 % 15%
Total HOME-ARP Allocation $2,733,183.00
Additional narrative, if applicable:
Development/Rehabilitation of Affordable Rental Housing and Tenant Based Rental Assistance
Collier County will allocate $2,319,717 $2,035,820.00 (74%) to support the development and
rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for individuals and families who meet one or more of
the qualifying populations. An additional $288,001.30 (11%) will be allocated for a Tenant Based
Rental Assistance program to aid eligible households with housing and housing-related costs such
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as rental assistance, security deposits and utility deposits. Collier County will retain $409,361.70
for administration of these projects. The County will seek to maximize use of funds by leveraging
with other sources of funding as available. Please see further information on page 20 22 in the
Housing Goals section.
In the event any of the HOME-ARP activities identified in the project or activity list does not
perform or results in the return of grant funds, or in the event that additional funds become
available, the County reserves the right to reprogram these funds for use in the Tenant Based
Rental Assistance program.
Administration
Fifteen percent of the allocation is set aside for costs of overall HOME-ARP program
management, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation. Expenditures may include salaries,
wages, and related costs of the county’s staff and/or administrative services performed under
third party contracts or agreements.
Describe how the characteristics of the shelter and housing inventory, service delivery system,
and the needs identified in the gap analysis provided a rationale for the plan to fund eligible
activities:
After reviewing the gap analysis for shelter and affordable housing availability, as well as
analyzing local capacity and other sources of funding as it relates to community needs, the
County identified eligible activities that will assist individuals and families of the most vulnerable
qualified populations. The gap analysis shows that there is a need to increase the supply of
affordable housing as a means to increase availability of permanent supportive housing and
provide opportunities for LMI households who are at-risk of homelessness or housing instability.
Developing affordable rental housing was highlighted by stakeholders as the top priority and
these efforts work as a more permanent solution to assist the QPs. A tenant based rental
assistance program helps very low and low-income households by reducing their housing cost
burden and provides support for those households experiencing housing instability.
Despite the need for rental assistance also being identified as a top County need, the County
determined the one-time HOME-ARP allocation was best used as a long-term capital investment,
hence, the bulk of funding going toward developing affordable rental housing. Furthermore,
Supportive Services and TBRA programs can be more difficult to run, given the relative size of the
grant and available operating or administration dollars to support potential subrecipients.
Substantial Amendment
After identifying the need to consider new applicants in the PY 2025 -2026 application cycle, to
reprogram HOME-ARP funds, Collier County revisited the needs expressed in the organizational
survey feedback from the planning phase of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. It was confirmed
that the demand for both affordable rental housing development/rehabilitation and Tenant
Based Rental Assistance remained a community need in Collier County. Subrecipients were
selected to carry out affordable rental housing development/rehabilitation activities at scattered
sites and Community and Human Services (CHS) will administer the Tenant Based Rental
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Assistance (TBRA) program as no applicants came forward to administer this program.
HOME-ARP Production Housing Goals
Estimate the number of affordable rental housing units for qualifying populations that the PJ
will produce or support with its HOME-ARP allocation:
Collier County is in the process of planning an affordable housing project that will produce
an estimated 250 total units. The County estimates 10 of these units will be new affordable
rental units that will be new affordable rental units that will be produced using HOME -ARP
funds.
The County will allocate HOME-ARP funds towards the development/rehabilitation of affordable
rental housing as well as Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). The funds will aid in the
rehabilitation of an estimated 26 units of affordable rental housing for qualifying populations and
provide TBRA for an estimated 11 households for up to 24-months.
Describe the specific affordable rental housing production goal that the PJ hopes to
achieve and describe how it will address the PJ’s priority needs:
The primary goal will be to help address the lack of affordable housing in the county and to
assist as many QP households as possible with the rehabilitation of affordable rental housing
and tenant based rental assistance. and supportive services. By adding rehabilitating affordable
rental units, to the housing stock, Collier County aims for the HOME-ARP allocation to offer a
long-term solution that contributes to the overall goal of reducing homelessness and
housing instability for the most vulnerable populations.
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Preferences
Identify whether the PJ intends to give preference to one or more qualifying populations or a
subpopulation within one or more qualifying populations for any eligible activity or project:
• Preferences cannot violate any applicable fair housing, civil rights, and nondiscrimination
requirements, including but not limited to those requirements listed in 24 CFR 5.105(a).
• PJs are not required to describe specific projects to which the preferences will apply.
o Collier County will not apply preferences in the Tenant Based Rental Assistance
program due to the demonstrated need. Complete applications will be
processed in order of receipt.
o Collier County will give preference to populations such as homeless individuals and
families, e lderly, individuals with special needs or persons with disabilities like
chronic mental illness for the affordable rental rehabilitation projects.
If a preference was identified, explain how the use of a preference or method of prioritization
will address the unmet need or gap in benefits and services received by individuals and
families in the qualifying population or subpopulation of qualifying populations, consistent
with the PJ’s needs assessment and gap analysis:
A preference permits an eligible QP applicant to be selected for assistance before another
eligible qualifying applicant.
A method of prioritization is the process used to determine how two or more eligible QP
applicants qualifying for preferences are selected for HOME-ARP assistance.
It should be noted that all of the qualifying populations described in HUD’s HOME-ARP
guidance will be eligible to be served in one or more of the County’s HOME-ARP funded
activities; preferences do not limit eligibility but only indicate how applicants will be
prioritized. Applications from any person meeting any of the qualifying population definitions
will be reviewed for eligibility. Eligible applicants meeting one or more of the preference
conditions listed above will receive priority placement to include any waiting lists established.
The County established the above preferences in HOME-ARP Rental Housing to ensure the
funding requirements of the HOME-ARP program are met. The County consulted with
stakeholders and made available for public participation. Stakeholders addressed the County’s
unmet needs to include vulnerable populations like homeless, elderly, persons with disabilities
and mental illness. Therefore, the above preferences have been established to meet the
County’s housing needs and priorities and assist individuals and families with housing
instability.
HOME-ARP Refinancing Guidelines
The County does not intend to use HOME-ARP funds to refinance existing debt secured by
multifamily rental housing.
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