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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 080-2024 which authorizes the County to participate in the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program, 2023 Non-Entitlement Competitive Component, administered by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD);
2) Delegate authority to the HHSA Director to accept the PLHA Program funding, if awarded, in the estimated amount of $1,000,000, and execute the resulting grant agreement, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval; and
3) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Chief Assistant Director, to execute future amendments that do not increase Net County Cost, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, and subsequent administrative documents or required fiscal or programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 100% State funds pursuant to Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) (Chapter 364, Statutes of 2017) administered through HCD; no matching funds are required.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On March 6, 2024, HCD announced the availability of approximately $12.5 million in funding for the PLHA Program, 2023 Non-Entitlement Local Government Competitive Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Funding for this NOFA is provided pursuant to SB 2 (Chapter 364, Statutes of 2017). The intent of the bill is to provide a permanent, on-going source of funding to Local Governments for housing-related projects and programs that assist in addressing the unmet housing needs of their local communities. The Non-Entitlement competitive grant program component prioritizes assistance to persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness and investments that increase the supply of housing to households with incomes of 60 percent or less of Area Median Income (AMI).
Pursuant to the HCD guidance outlined in the NOFA, the eligible activities for the 2023 Non-Entitlement Local Government Competitive under the PLHA Program are:
1. Development of new multifamily rental housing that is affordable to households at or below 60 percent of AMI or substantial rehabilitation of multifamily rental housing that will be affordable to households at or below 60 percent of AMI, but which is not currently restricted as affordable housing. In order to be eligible as “substantial rehabilitation”, a project must complete a minimum of $40,000 per unit in hard construction costs; or
2. Assistance to persons who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including, but not limited to: 1) rapid rehousing; 2) rental assistance; 3) supportive services; 4) case management services that allow people to obtain and retain housing; 5) operating and capital costs for Navigation Centers; or 5) new construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of permanent or transitional rental housing.
In accordance with the NOFA, the County of El Dorado (County) is eligible to apply for the PLHA 2023 Non-Entitlement Competitive Component funding opportunity, which is due to HCD by June 6, 2024. Upon Board approval of the Resolution presented in this agenda item (a required component of the application), HHSA will apply for the maximum allowable amount of $1,000,000, to supplement the funding for the operation of the temporary Navigation Center (Nav Center), approved by the Board on September 20, 2022 (Legistar 22-1693).
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to approve this recommendation, the County would be ineligible to participate in the PLHA 2023 Non-Entitlement Competitive Component and would not receive the grant award in the amount of $1,000,000. Consequently, the County’s ability to fund the operation of the temporary Nav Center will be hindered.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
09/20/22, 22-1693, Supervisor Parlin and Supervisor Thomas recommending (Direct staff to implement a temporary Navigation Center at 299 Fair Lane)
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
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 2024-25 Budget for the PLHA 2023 Non-Entitlement Competitive Component funding and will be included in future budgets for the term of the funding agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) executed Resolution to hhsa-grants@edgov.us.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
By approving this item, the Board will be working toward the strategic plan priority to “Develop a continuum of support and housing opportunities for unhoused individuals.”
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency