Title
Planning and Building Department, Planning Division, Long Range Planning Unit, Housing, Community and Economic Development Programs, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 126-2021 to:
1) Authorize the submittal of an amended 2019 HOME Investment Partnerships Program Grant Program Activities allocation application to the California Department of Community Development to provide additional resources up to $983,000 for the County’s ongoing First-Time Homebuyer Loan Program and new Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program; and
2) If awarded, authorize the Planning and Building Department Director, or designee, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, to execute the grant agreement and subsequent amendments thereto that do not affect the dollar amount or the term and to sign other grant-related documents.
FUNDING: Federal HOME Investment Partnership Program Grant Funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
October 31, 2019, the Department issued a 2019 Notice of Funding Availability announcing the availability of funds under the HOME program (the “NOFA”).
On December 19, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 219-2019 to authorize the Planning and Building Director to submit the HOME program application in response to the 2019 HOME NOFA to support the County’s First Time Homebuyer Program for low income households.
On October 13, 2020, the California Department of Housing and Community Development awarded the County of El Dorado $983,000 in HOME funds to continue its County’s First Time Homebuyer Program, however the State has not yet issued the 2019 Standard Agreement contract.
In response to the federally declared disaster on March 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the County of El Dorado wishes to amend its 2019 HOME application to include a Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program in conjunction with the Health and Human Services Agency and El Dorado County Public Housing Authority for a rental subsidy program that is designed to assist income-eligible tenants throughout the county with the payment of monthly rent and utility costs, as well as the payment of security and utility deposits.
The amended application process requires a resolution as presented to the Board for adoption and additional activity worksheets. In addition, Planning and Building staff will work with the Health and Human Services Agency to draft a memorandum of understanding to execute the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may deny the request to submit an amended application for HOME grant funding and reject the implementation of a Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program at this time.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Risk Management, and Health and Human Services Agency.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No change to Net County Cost is associated with this item. If the grant is awarded there will be a budget transfer brought to the Board to amend the budget with the standard agreement. Staff time associated with administering the program would be covered by the grant funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will secure the Chair's signature on the original copy of the Resolution; and
2) The Clerk of the Board will provide two (2) certified Resolution copies to Planning and Building Department, attention of C.J. Freeland, HCED Program.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance - "Promote the development of resources to identify and purse additional revenue including local, state, federal and private funding for new and existing projects.”
Healthy Communities - "Achieve sufficient and attainable housing for all El Dorado County residents.”
Economic Development - "Provide attainable housing options - balance jobs with housing.”
CONTACT
Rob Peters, Deputy Director Planning
Planning and Building Department