Westminster City Council/Housing Authority
SUBJECT
Title
Agreement with Interval House for FY 2026-2027 HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program.
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From: Richard Rojas Jr., Community Development Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Colette Penalosa, Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Mayor/Chair and City Council/Authority Board Members:
A. Approve an Agreement in the amount of $350,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Westminster Housing Authority (WHA) Administration funds to Interval House to administer the City’s HOME TBRA Program for FY 2026/2027 through FY 2027/2028; and
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Subrecipient Agreement and any necessary implementing documents, in a form approved by the City Attorney. Additionally, Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications to the agreement to comply with HUD HOME requirements.
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BACKGROUND
On August 24, 2026, the City of Westminster released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for up to $350,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Westminster Housing Authority Administration (WHA) funds to implement the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program. The NOFA was posted online at the City's Request for Proposal, Qualifications, and Bids page, providing an equal opportunity for qualified applicants to respond.
The program directly supports the goals and priorities identified in the City’s adopted FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, which identifies “assisting persons experiencing or at-risk of homelessness” and “preserving and increasing affordable housing opportunities for low-income households” as top housing priorities.
Applications were due on September 21, 2026. One proposal was received from Interval House. City staff reviewed the application in accordance with the criteria outlined in the NOFA, including organizational experience, administrative capacity, proposed outcomes, and alignment with HOME Program regulations.
Interval House has extensive experience administering TBRA programs and has successfully implemented HOME-funded programs for the City of Westminster since 2020. The proposal includes:
• Assistance to approximately 17 low- and very low-income households (estimated 40 individuals), with a focus on households at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI);
• A full range of supportive services, including case management, housing relocation and stabilization, and legal and employment support; and
• Demonstrated capacity to meet expenditure deadlines and program monitoring requirements.
The HOME TBRA Program provides rental subsidies, security deposit assistance, and supportive services to lower-income households, with a focus on those at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness.
Example of HOME TBRA Assistance
A family of four earns $30,000 annually, which qualifies them as extremely low-income under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income limits. Affordable housing is generally defined as spending no more than 30% of household income on rent and utilities-in this case, $750 per month. If the family rents an apartment for $1,800 per month, the HOME TBRA Program would provide a monthly subsidy of $1,050 to bridge the affordability gap. This assistance allows the family to remain housed while participating in supportive services to build long-term housing stability. The program may also cover security deposits and, if applicable, utility deposits to help the family secure and maintain their housing.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total agreement amount of $350,000 is funded entirely through federal HOME funds and WHA Administration funds. To comply with federal and state requirements and avoid forfeiture of funds, the City must fully expend the $350,000 by June 30, 2027. The following expenditure benchmarks apply to ensure timely use:
• $300,000 (Eligible TBRA Activity) by June 30, 2027
• $50,000 (WHA Administration Funds) by June 30, 2027
Failure to meet these deadlines may result in the loss of unspent funds and noncompliance with federal and state regulations.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Awarding the HOME TBRA Agreement to Interval House ensures the timely expenditure of HOME funds, while advancing the City’s FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan goals to reduce homelessness and provide housing stability for lower-income households.
ATTACHMENTS
1. DRAFT 2026 Westminster HOME TBRA Subrecipient Agreement
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager