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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept funding for El Dorado County for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Round 2 Program administered by the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) for the term upon execution through June 30, 2026 and in the amount of $305,824 (Agreement 21-HHAP-00019);
2) Authorize the Director of HHSA, acting as the Administrative Entity on behalf of the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care (CoC) in accordance with Resolution 023-2020, to accept funding for the CoC for the HHAP Round 2 Program for the term upon execution through June 30, 2026 and in the amount of $341,680 (Agreement 21-HHAP-00020);
3) Delegate authority to the Director of HHSA, on behalf of both El Dorado County and the CoC, to execute the grant funding agreements 21-HHAP-00019 and 21-HHAP-00020, including any extension(s) or amendment(s) thereto, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval; and
4) Authorize the Director of HHSA to apply for, and if awarded, accept any additional funding for homeless programs, during the term of this grant, on behalf of both the County and the CoC that are administered as a part of the HHAP Program by the HCFC, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management Approval.
FUNDING: 100% State funding authorized pursuant to Assembly Bill 83, signed into law by Governor Newsom on June 29, 2020.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant program is administered by the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) department of the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC). With over 6,000 employees, BCSH is responsible for fostering an equitable and inclusive California. BCSH does this through several departments, one of which is the HCFC, who is specifically responsible for advancing statewide collaborative efforts to prevent and end homelessness. One of the opportunities provided by HCFC to fulfill their mission is the HHAP grant program. On February 11, 2020, the Board adopted Resolution 023-2020, thereby authorizing the County to participate in the HHAP Program. For this program, the adopted Resolution also designated the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) as the Administrative Entity for the El Dorado Opportunity Knocks Continuum of Care (CoC). (Item #20-0161, Agenda No. 10).
On November 13, 2020, HCFC released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for a second round of the HHAP Grant (HHAP-2). This funding opportunity made available both CoC and County allocations. The total allocation award amount available for the El Dorado CoC is $341,680, and the County is receiving a separate award allocation of $305,824. The HHAP-2 program requires grantees to continue to build regional collaboration developed through previous rounds of HCFC funding and to expend funds on evidence-based solutions that address and prevent homelessness among eligible populations, with a specific focus on rehousing homeless individuals into safe, permanent housing. Allowable activities include any of those identified in California Health and Safety Code section 50220.5, subdivision (d)(1) - (8), including rental assistance and rapid rehousing, operating subsidies in existing or supportive housing units, landlord incentives, outreach and coordination, system supports for activities necessary to create regional partnerships and maintain a homeless services and housing delivery system for homeless youth and vulnerable populations, delivery of permanent housing and innovative housing solutions, prevention and shelter diversion to permanent housing, and navigation centers / emergency shelters based on demonstrated need. The County and the CoC are currently engaged in a strategic planning process with a technical assistance provider in an effort to develop a five-year strategic plan for homeless services in El Dorado County. The County has also been working closely with CoC partner agencies in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Funding from HHAP-2 will support efforts developed through both the strategic planning with the CoC, as well as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic response for residents experiencing homelessness.
HCFC may release additional allocations of HHAP funding for El Dorado County and the CoC. In alignment with Resolution 023-2020, HHSA is requesting that the Board delegate authority to the Director of HHSA to apply for, and if awarded, accept any additional funding for homeless programs, during the term of this grant, on behalf of both the County and the CoC that are administered as a part of the HHAP Program. This delegation is being requested to allow HHSA to respond quickly to any future NOFAs that could be released if other entities decline their HHAP-2 allocations.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the grant funding, both the County and CoC would fail to complete all requirements necessary to participate in the HHAP-2 Program, and as a result, the County would be declining a total of $647,504 in funding to respond to homelessness.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
February 11, 2020, File ID 20-0161, Agenda No. 10, HHSA HHAP Application, and Resolution #023-2020.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Approved by County Counsel and County Risk Management
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The HHAP-2 NOFA limits the use of available funding for administrative costs to no more than seven percent (7%) of the total allocation of $647,204, equating to approximately $45,325.28 for the administration of the grant. HHSA has established controls to monitor costs of funding administration.
The total award of $647,204 is budgeted within Community Services in HHSA, and has been included in the FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget with no impact to the General Fund.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director