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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), in collaboration with the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks (EDOK) Continuum of Care (CoC), recommending the Board:
1) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance Code Chapter 3.13, Section 3.13.030 (C), Contracting Out, that due to the limited timeframes, temporary or occasional nature, or schedule for the project or scope of work, the ongoing aggregate of work by Housing El Dorado (HED) is not sufficient to warrant the addition of permanent staff;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Funding Out Agreement 9182 with HED, in the amount of $100,000, and for the term upon execution through March 31, 2027, and with the option to extend the term of the Agreement for three additional one-year terms through March 31, 2030, for a maximum five-year term, subject to the EDOK CoC Board and HHSA Director approval for the extension;
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute amendments relating to Agreement 9182, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director, or the Chief Assistant Director, to execute programmatic, administrative, and fiscal documents relating to Agreement 9182.
FUNDING: 100% State Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 4 grant funding.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The CoC Program, administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is designed to provide transitional and permanent housing assistance services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, with the goal of long-term stability. More broadly, the program is designed to promote community-wide planning and strategic use of resources to address homelessness, improve coordination and integration with mainstream resources and other programs targeted to people experiencing homelessness, improve data collection and performance measurement, and allow each community to tailor its program to the particular strengths and challenges within that community.
On November 15, 2022, the Board designated HHSA to serve as the Administrative Entity (AE) for the EDOK CoC for the HHAP Round 4 (HHAP-4) grant program (Legistar file 22-1921). As the EDOK CoC AE, HHSA coordinates the disbursement and expenditure of EDOC CoC’s HHAP-4 funding allocation awarded from the State of California to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address homelessness in El Dorado County.
EDOK CoC received an initial disbursement of HHAP-4 grant funds, of which 50 percent must be expended by May 31, 2025. To meet this expenditure deadline, EDOK CoC determined it was necessary to subaward their allocation via a competitive solicitation to local housing and homelessness service providers, in accordance with HHAP eligible uses.
In August 2024, the EDOK CoC Board formally requested interested parties submit Letters of Interest (LOI) to provide administration of the Homelessness Prevention and Flexible Housing Program (HP Program). The HP Program provides flexible assistance and covers service gaps for people experiencing, or at imminent risk of, homelessness and housing instability. Subsequently, on September 6, 2024, the EDOK CoC Board approved HED as the HP Program administrator. On October 4, 2024, the EDOK CoC Board awarded HHAP-4 funds allocated to Homelessness Prevention/Diversion to HED for administration of the HP Program in the County, in the amount of $100,000.
HHSA, as the AE for EDOK CoC’s HHAP-4 allocation, recommends the Board approve Funding Out Agreement 9182 to enable EDOK COC to meet the HHAP-4 expenditure date of May 31, 2025, and to allow EDOK CoC to provide CoC Program services to individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness in El Dorado County.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, EDOK CoC would not be able to expend their HHAP-4 funding prior to the expenditure deadline. If the initial expenditure deadline is not met, EDOK CoC and El Dorado County will not be eligible to receive the balance of HHAP-4 awarded funds. Any HHAP funds not expended by the deadline will revert to State General Fund (Health & Safety Code, 50220 [e]). Additionally, the Grantee designated as recipient of this funding would not be able to operate their program and would therefore remove these valuable services from the community.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 02/11/20, 20-0161, HHSA HHAP Application and Resolution
2) 11/15/22, 22-1921, HHSA HHAP Round 4 Funding
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel, Human Resources, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no General Fund Cost associated with this agenda item. Sufficient appropriations were included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the Agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one original Funding Agreement 9182.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Area of Focus: Safe and Healthy Communities
Priority: Develop a continuum of support and housing opportunities for unhoused individuals
Action Item: Continue Engagement with County departments, the homeless community, and countywide partners to develop effective strategies including for example, transitional housing.
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency