Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 023-2020, which authorizes the County to participate in the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Program, administered by the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency’s Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council;
2) Designate the Health and Human Services Agency to serve as the Administrative Entity for the El Dorado County Continuum of Care for the HHAP Program administered by the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council and delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency to accept funding and execute any grant agreement, if awarded, in the estimated amount of $722,117;
3) Delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency to accept funding and execute any grant agreement, if awarded, in the estimated amount of $668,990 with an anticipated term extending through December 31, 2023, including any extension(s) or amendment(s) thereto, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management Approval; and
4) Authorize the Director to submit a letter of support on behalf of the El Dorado County Continuum of Care, agreeing to regional coordination and partnership with the Continuum of Care, on all funding and program elements related to the HHAP grant program.
FUNDING: State funding authorized pursuant to California Assembly Bill 101, signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 31, 2019.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) released a Notice of Funding Availability for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant, on December 6, 2019. This funding opportunity made available $190,000,000 for Continuums of Care (CoC) throughout California, and an additional $175,000,000 for Counties. Of the total amount available, the El Dorado County CoC’s estimated allocation is $722,117.21, with the County receiving its separate allocation of $668,989.93. The application process to receive these funds consisted of an online application identifying only basic information on January 23, 2020, with additional budget and plan information due at a later date. Subsequent information provided by HCFC indicated that all additional submission documents including letters of support and authorized signatory forms shall be provided no later than February 14, 2020.
Of the additional documents required, the CoC must submit a letter of support signed by the Administrative Entity for the CoC, effectively agreeing to collaborate on the spending priorities and program design of all activities funded through the grant. In turn, the County must submit a letter signed by the Chair of the Board of the CoC indicating the same. Without each entity possessing a letter of support from the other, the entity will not be able to receive funding.
The Board has previously designated the Health and Human Services Agency to act as the Administrative Entity on behalf of the CoC in multiple instances, for the purpose of conforming to funding requirements: the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) Grant (Item #18-1762, December 4, 2018), the 2018 California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) Grant (Item #18-1522, October 16, 2018), and the 2019 CESH Grant (Item #19-0553, April 23, 2019).
The HHAP program requires grantees to expend funds on evidence-based solutions that address and prevent homelessness among eligible populations. Allowable activities include any of those identified in California Health and Safety Code Section 50219(c)(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 in the middle of a strategic planning process with a technical assistance provider to help develop a five-year strategic plan for homeless services in El Dorado County. The County intends to use funding available through HHAP to help pay for system supports necessary for the delivery of homeless services, technical assistance related to homeless programs/grants, and priority activities identified as a result of the strategic planning process.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to approve these recommendations, both the County and CoC would fail to complete all requirements necessary to participate in the HHAP Program, and as a result, neither entity would receive funding.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) Item #18-1762, December 4, 2018, "HHSA HEAP Application"
2) Item #18-1522, October 16, 2018, "HHSA - CA Emergency Solutions and Housing Grant"
3) Item #19-0553, April 23, 2019, "HHSA 2019 - CESH 2.0 Resolution"
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The HHAP Notice of Funding Availability limits the use of available funding for administrative costs to no more than seven percent (7%) of the total allocation, $668,989.93, equating to approximately $46,829.30 for the administration of the grant. In the event the seven percent of available funding is insufficient to cover the costs of administering the funding, additional general funds to support the administration of the program may be required. Once HHSA has received the funding agreements related to both proposals, it is anticipated HHSA will return to the Board with Budget Transfer Requests.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on Resolution No XXX-2020 and return the resolution to HHSA Contracts at 3057 Briw Road.
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