Title
Acting as the Governing Board of the El Dorado County Public Housing Authority:
Health and Human Services Agency, Community Services Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Accept a grant award in the amount of $59,402 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for calendar year 2015 Family Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator funding;
2) Approve and authorize the Public Housing Authority Executive Director to execute grant agreement CA151FSH053A014 and associated documents, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the amount of $59,402, for the term January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, for the provision of Family Self-Sufficiency Program Coordinator services; and
3) Authorize the Public Housing Authority Executive Director, or designee, to execute further documents relating to grant agreement CA151FSH053A014 including amendments which do not affect the maximum dollar amount or modify the term of the Agreement, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, and sign any required fiscal and programmatic reports and to perform any and all administrative responsibilities in relationship to said grant agreement.
FUNDING: Federal Grant Funding.
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BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Revenue
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$59,402 |
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Total Funding Available
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$59,402 |
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no Net County Cost associated with this funding. Sufficient appropriations are included in the FY 2014-15 Budget and remaining funds will be included in the Agency's Recommended FY 2015-16 Budget.
Background
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a component of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (formerly known as Section 8). The FSS Program is designed to help HCV families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. The FSS Program provides assistance with education, job counseling, housing, and job placement. The public housing authority establishes an escrow account for the FSS participating family and credits to this account a portion of the increase of rent paid that normally results from increases in the earned income of family members during the term of the FSS contract. Upon successful graduation from the program, participants receive the funds from their escrow account. Board of Supervisors Resolution 342-93 established the El Dorado County Public Housing Authority (PHA) as an independent public agency and appointed the Community Services Director (now a division within the Health and Human Services Agency) as the Secretary and Executive Director of the PHA. The PHA has administered the FSS Program since 1995.
The Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) each year for qualified public housing authorities to apply for new or continuing FSS Coordinator position funding. On April 23, 2014, HUD released a NOFA for calendar year 2015 Housing Choice Voucher FSS Program funding. The NOFA did not allow for any increases over the amount of funds or FSS Coordinator positions awarded in 2014 and revised the administrative process for receiving the grant funds to include the execution of a grant agreement. The funds received under this NOFA can only be used to pay the wages of the FSS Coordinator, including fringe benefits.
The PHA does not have additional funding available for the administration of this program. Should the funding award not be accepted, the PHA would have to apply to HUD for an exception to cease operation of the FSS Program.
Reason for Recommendation
On May 22, 2014, the PHA submitted an application to HUD for renewal FSS Program Coordinator funding in the amount of $59,902. On October 6, 2014, the PHA received notification from HUD of calendar year 2015 FSS Program Coordinator funding award in the amount of $59,402.
On October 20, 2014, the PHA received grant agreement CA151FSH053A014 from HUD related to the FSS Program Coordinator funding award. HUD originally requested the grant agreement be executed within 72 hours of receipt but has extended the deadline for the PHA to October 28, 2014. The PHA is requesting the Board authorize the Executive Director to sign the grant agreement following review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management to meet HUD's grant agreement submittal deadline.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
Provide the Health and Human Services Agency, at Briw Road, with one (1) Certified Minute Order.
Contact
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director
Concurrences
County Counsel and Risk Management approval is pending.