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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept a non-competitive Housing and Disability Advocacy Program funding allocation administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), for the term upon acceptance through June 30, 2025, in the estimated amount of $625,238;
2) Approve and authorize the HHSA Director to sign the attached Director’s Certification, required for submission to the CDSS to accept this allocation; and
3) Delegate authority to the HHSA Director, or HHSA Chief Assistant Director, to execute and administer any subsequent administrative documents relating to said award that do not increase the amount or term, contingent upon County Counsel approval, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: 100% State General Fund revenue, authorized pursuant to the Budget Act of 2022 appropriated for the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program. No matching funds are required.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) is administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and provides non-competitive funding to county and tribal jurisdictions to provide housing supports and disability benefit application assistance and advocacy to individuals likely eligible for disability benefits and experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The intent of HDAP is to secure disability benefits for participants and stabilize them in permanent housing.
Per California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), Housing and Disability Income Advocacy Program Sections 18999-18999.6, HDAP grantees are allowed to expend funds on evidence-based solutions that address and prevent homelessness among eligible populations, with a specific focus on rehousing homeless individuals into safe, permanent housing. In addition, grantees must operate in accordance with the core components of Housing First as detailed in WIC Section 8255. HDAP requires grantees to consult with local public benefit advocacy agencies and their broader homelessness response systems as they develop and implement their HDAP services. This includes establishing or continuing to support meaningful partnerships with the local homeless Continuum of Care, tribal housing authorities, health and behavioral health systems, and other local housing service providers.
Prior County Accepted Allocation - Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22:
On November 16, 2021 (File ID 21-1691), the County Board of Supervisors (Board) accepted initial non-competitive HDAP allocation for FY 2021-22 in an amount not to exceed $625,238, which authorized the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director to sign the Director’s Certification accepting this funding. HHSA was awarded the FY 2021-22 HDAP allocation amount totaling $625,238, for the expenditure period of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024.
Additional Allocation - FY 2022-23:
The Budget Act of 2022 appropriated an additional $175 million in General Funds to counties and tribes for HDAP services in FY 2022-23. Thereafter, CDSS issued the All County Welfare Directors Letter (ACWDL) dated September 21, 2022, notifying counties and tribes in the State of additional match exempt, non-competitive allocations available for HDAP in FY 2022-23. As a continuing grantee, HHSA has the opportunity to accept the additional FY 2022-23 non-competitive HDAP allocation in the estimated amount of $625,238.
To accept this allocation, HHSA must submit a signed Director’s Certification notifying CDSS of its intent to accept HDAP funds no later than November 2, 2022.
Utilizing both HDAP allocations, HHSA will provide housing related financial assistance and wrap-around supportive services, including, but not limited to: interim housing, rental assistance, disability income application advocacy, housing navigation, case management, security deposits, utility payments, moving costs, legal services, and credit repair. HDAP also provides outreach services as well as case management for connections to eligible clients to any additional service needs warranted.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to accept this non-competitive funding allocation or decline to authorize the HHSA Director to sign the attached Director’s Certification, the County will not receive the estimated $625,238 in HDAP funds. As a result, individuals likely eligible for disability benefits and experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness would not receive these services to stabilize them in permanent housing.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
11/16/21, File ID 21-1691 Board accepted a HDAP allocation for FY 2021-22 and authorized the HHSA Director to sign/submit Director’s Certification
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel approved the HDAP Director’s Certification.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
HDAP is funded by State General Fund and does not have a match requirement. There is no impact to County General Fund. HDAP has been included in the FY 2022-23 Budget and will be included in future budgets for the term of the funding allocation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.
CONTACT
Evelyn Schaeffer, Director, Health and Human Services Agency