Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Plan prior to submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, consistent with the requirements for funding;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 114-2020, which authorizes the County to participate in the Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding, administered by California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD);
3) Delegate authority to the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to accept funding and execute any resulting grant agreements, if awarded, over the next five years, with a cumulative total amount estimated to be $2,879,974, 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 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: State Funds are administered through the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds are collected by HCD by way of fees imposed through California Senate Bill (SB) 2 (2017), which establishes permanent funding to meet unmet housing needs in local communities.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
State of California, Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program. The goal of PLHA is to provide a permanent funding stream to help support unmet housing needs and services throughout California. HCD estimates El Dorado County’s fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 allocation (based on real estate fees collected in Fiscal Year 2019-20) is $479,995, while its five-year estimate for the same funding totals to $2,879,974. Each year's estimated allocation is based on fees collected in the prior year, which means the County will receive the FY 2019-20 allocation in FY 2020-21. This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was released to the County on February 26, 2020, and a response is due July 27, 2020.
The purpose of the PLHA Program is to increase the supply of housing for households with incomes at or below 60% of Area Median Income. Funds can also be used to assist people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, in addition to assisting with housing affordability. The plan developed by the Health and Human Services Agency working with Housing, Community, and Economic Development Program, prioritizes funding in three areas. First, funding is allocated to assist developers with projects that will create affordable housing units. Second, it is allocated to provide eligible, First Time Homebuyers with down payment assistance. Lastly, funding is budgeted to create permanently funded positions within the County to provide case management and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness, with the goal of linking homeless individuals with permanent housing options.
On April 14, 2020, the Board, along with the City of Placerville, issued a joint policy statement, directing authorized staff of both jurisdictions, working in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team, to explore properties/facilities and determine the feasibility of such properties to provide temporary housing and services to the homeless. The evaluation of this facility should include consideration for the provision of resources to assist in homeless including: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services, Mental Health Counseling, Temporary Housing, Identification of Permanent Housing, Employment Counseling, Meals, other related services, and Restoration Center. While staff from both jurisdictions conduct this exploration, it is the intent of HHSA to use this permanent funding opportunity to build the County’s capacity to begin providing and focusing services specific to the homeless population. If and when a suitable property/facility is identified and established, these services would become an integral support to that property/facility; in the meantime, permanent funding focused on building the County’s ability to provide these services would lay a strong foundation for ensuring positive outcomes into the future.
Should the County be awarded funding through this opportunity, HHSA would return to the Board with a Budget Transfer Request as well as a Personnel Allocation Resolution to add internal positions to provide services to the County’s homeless population. As a part of the submission requirements for this funding, HCD requires the Board approve the plan for the funding, prior to submission of the required application components.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could decline to adopt and authorize the Resolution or decline to delegate authority to the Director of HHSA to execute said award, if received. In this case, the County would not be eligible to receive the permanent funding allocation available through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Approved by County Counsel. The plan was developed in collaboration with the County's Housing, Community, and Economic Development Program, part of the Planning & Building Department's Long Range Planning Unit.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds do not have a match requirement. As the proposal is subject to HCD approval, HHSA will return to the Board with a Budget Transfer Request and Personnel Allocation Resolution once a funding agreement has been finalized. PLHA funds do have a cap on administrative costs that are limited to 5% of the annual allocation. Should the 5% cap be insufficient to cover the administrative costs associated with the grant, additional funding would be required to pay for the administrative costs.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on Resolution xxx-2020 for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program funding application.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director