Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 109-2020 which authorizes the Health and Human Services Agency on behalf of the Continuum of Care (CoC) to participate in the Emergency Solutions Grant - COVID (ESG-CV) funding, administered by California Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD);
2) Designate the Health and Human Services Agency to serve as the Administrative Entity for the El Dorado County Continuum of Care for the ESG-CV funding;
3) Delegate authority to the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to accept funding and execute any grant agreement, if awarded, in an amount estimated to be $437,000 with a term to be determined, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval; and
4) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services Agency, or the Chief Fiscal Officer, to administer any agreement or subsequent administrative documents related to said award, including any required fiscal and programmatic reports as well as any amendments to the agreement that do not increase the total award amount, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval.
FUNDING: Federal Funding administered by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development, Emergency Solutions Grants Program as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stimulus Act enacted March 27, 2020.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
State of California, Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Emergency Solutions-COVID (ESG-CV) Grant specific to COVID-19 activities supporting the homeless population in the estimated amount of $437,000. This NOFA was released to the County on June 2, 2020 and a response is due July 20, 2020.
The ESG-CV Grant administered by HCD provides funding to the Continuum of Care (CoC) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless assistance. It can also be used to support additional homeless assistance and homeless prevention activities and to mitigate the impacts created by coronavirus.
As the available funding is directed to the El Dorado CoC, the County must be designated as the Administrative Entity in order to receive and administer the funding on behalf of the CoC. The NOFA released by HCD specifically requires a Resolution be passed designating the Administrative Entity for this purpose.
The ESG-CV program requires grantees to expend funds on a variety of COVID-19 related activities that may include temporary shelter (through leasing of existing property, temporary structures, or other means) to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus; training on infectious disease prevention and mitigation; and/or to provide hazard pay (including for time worked prior to the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for staff working directly to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus among persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Because this funding is an allocation directed to the CoC, HHSA will be required to work directly with the CoC to determine the eligible activities to which the funding will be directed.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to adopt and authorize the Resolution establishing HHSA as the Administrative Entity for the Emergency Solutions Grant, and likewise decline to delegate authority to the Director of HHSA to execute said award, if received, in which case, the Continuum of Care would not be eligible to receive the funding made available through the ESG-CV grant program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
ESG-CV funds do not have a match requirement. As ESG-CV is federal funding, HHSA’s administrative costs can be applied using the federally approved indirect cost rate. Because the allocation amount is an estimate only and subject to change, HHSA will return to the Board with a Budget Transfer Request once a funding agreement has been finalized.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on Resolution xxx-2020 for ESG-CV grant application.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director