To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council Regarding Acceptance of Funding Made Available Through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and ratify the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Director’s execution of, the attached State Standard Agreement with the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council regarding acceptance of funding made available through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached State Standard Agreement with the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, and any other agreements, certifications and documents required or deemed necessary for the Department of Health and Human Services to accept and secure funding made available through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund
DISCUSSION:
On Dec. 17, 2021, the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) announced the availability of $1 billion in noncompetitive block grant funds for the third round of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program. The HHAP Program is intended to allow cities, counties and local Continuums of Care to address immediate homelessness challenges throughout the state. As a result, HHAP Program funding may be used for a broad range of activities that are designed to assist people experiencing homelessness with obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, including all of the following:
• Rental assistance, housing relocation and stabilization, outreach, coordination, homelessness prevention and shelter diversion services;
• Operating subsidies in new and existing affordable or supportive housing units, emergency shelters and navigation centers;
• Security deposits, holding fees and other landlord incentives;
• Operational support related to the creation and maintenance of a homeless services and housing delivery system; and
• Capital improvements, including, without limitation, conversion of hotels or motels to permanent housing and construction of new navigation centers and emergency shelters based on demonstrated jurisdictional need.
Pursuant to the HHAP Program allocation formula, which is based on the proportionate share of the state’s total homeless population as reflected by the 2019 point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness, the County of Humboldt has been allocated $2,377,544.38, and the Humboldt County Continuum of Care has been allocated $2,547,368.97, in HHAP Program funding. The Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition, which serves as the Continuum of Care for Humboldt County, has designated the County of Humboldt, as the administrative entity to receive and administer funding made available through the HHAP Program. As a result, the County of Humboldt is the only entity that may apply for the HHAP Program funding allocated to the Humboldt County Continuum of Care.
On Dec. 23, 2021, HCFC announced that Humboldt County had been awarded an initial disbursement in the amount of $1,231,228.34. To receive the initial disbursement, the county was required to execute the attached State Standard Agreement with HCFC by Jan. 30, 2022. The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director executed the attached State Standard Agreement with HCFC on Jan. 28, 2022.
DHHS will receive the remaining HHAP Program funding in the amount of $3,693,685.01 after approval of the County of Humboldt’s local homelessness action plan and outcome goals and full execution of an additional State Standard Agreement with HCFC.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board approve, and ratify the DHHS Director’s execution of, the attached State Standard Agreement with HCFC regarding acceptance of funding made available through the HHAP Program. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached state standard agreements with HCFC, and any other agreements, certifications and documents required or deemed necessary for DHHS to accept and secure funding made available through the HHAP Program, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the receipt of HHAP funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the attached State Standard Agreement with HCFC will allow the County of Humboldt to accept $1,231,228.34 in HHAP Program funding. Approval of the attached State Standard Agreement with HCFC will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and creating opportunities for improved safety and health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion
ATTACHMENTS:
1. State Standard Agreement No. 22-HHAP-10016 with the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council Regarding Acceptance of Funding Made Available Through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A