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Grant Application - FY25 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theresa Torres, Human Services Agency - Transportation, Director, 704-283-3598
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Authorize the County Manager to submit the 5310 Urbanized Area Grant application and make necessary assurances and certifications associated with the grant application, 2) upon award, authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, and 3) upon receipt, recognize, receive, and appropriate the awarded amount to the Transportation budget.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The Section 5310 program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides formula funding to states to assist private nonprofit groups meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when transportation service is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meet the needs of these residents. The 5310 program aims to remove barriers to transportation services and expand mobility options for seniors and individuals with disabilities by supporting services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the unique transportation needs of these residents in all areas - large urbanized (over 200,000), small urbanized (50,000-200,000), and rural (under 50,000). Funds are apportioned based on each state's share of the population, then direct recipients manage and distribute funds to sub-recipient projects.
The Human Services Agency Transportation Division will submit the grant application as a sub-recipient through the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), and our local agreement will be with the City of Charlotte. Union County’s grant application will leverage our Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) funding to serve as the local match required to enable us to obtain the additional 5310 grant funding, thereby ensuring more seniors can access needed services by utilizing our transportation system. Transportation has been receiving and managing 5310 funding since January 2016 and staff has the capability to manage this grant.
In FY23, we served 287 passengers and completed 15,056 trips using this funding. If awarded, FY25 grant funding will allow us to continue meeting the needs of current and future residents who are eligible for services under this funding structure. Our goal is to serve 200+ seniors age 65+ and/or age 50+ disabled individuals currently being served by our system under this funding.
The 5310 grant requires a 50% Federal/ 50% Local cost split for demand response service operations. The period of performance is for two funding years, meaning funds awarded during a given fiscal year can be drawn down for a period of 2-years after the start of the award's fiscal year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total 5310 Grant operating request of $400,000 for the two-year period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, is 50% Federal Grant ($200,000) and 50% Local Match ($200,000).