To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services to Apply for and, if Awarded, Accept Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Emergency Solutions Grants Program - Coronavirus Round 2
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for and, if awarded, accept funding made available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Emergency Solutions Grants Program - Coronavirus Round 2; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health Fund (1170)
DISCUSSION:
On Oct. 2, 2020, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allocation to the Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG-CV Program), hereinafter referred to as “ESG-CV Round 2.” ESG-CV Round 2 funding can be used for various purposes, including, without limitation, all of the following:
• Preventing, preparing for, and responding to Coronavirus among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, or receiving homeless assistance, as part of a coordinated response that considers all available funding streams, housing resources, staffing resources and other community assets that can be marshalled.
• Providing rapid rehousing services that are designed to assist individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness to move to the safest location possible.
• Providing rapid rehousing services that are designed to assist individuals and families staying in non-congregate shelter to obtain and maintain stable housing.
• Providing emergency shelter services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, as needed, while providing pathways to obtain and maintain stable housing.
• Addressing racial disproportionality in homeless populations in order to achieve equitable provision of services for Black, Native and Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islanders and other people of color who are disproportionately impacted by homelessness and the Coronavirus.
• Providing low-barrier, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and housing-first-oriented services that are designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness to obtain and maintain stable housing.
The Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition designated the County of Humboldt as the administrative entity to receive and administer funding made available through the ESG-CV Program. The ESG-CV Round 2 allocation for Humboldt County is $4.5 million. Approximately $145,200 of the ESG-CV Round 2 funds allocated to the County of Humboldt will be available for direct administrative costs. If received, the County of Humboldt will be responsible for awarding ESG-CV Round 2 funds to eligible service providers through a process that is consistent with the requirements listed in the NOFA.
HCD requires that each applicant for ESG-CV Round 2 funding adopt a resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a State of California Standard Agreement, and any future amendments thereto, along with any and all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to accept ESG-CV Round 2 funding. Accordingly, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for and, if awarded, accept ESG-CV Round 2 funding made available by HCD.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached resolution authorizes the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to accept ESG-CV Round 2 funding in an amount not to exceed $4.5 million. If awarded DHHS will come back to the Board to request approval of a supplemental budget to include grant funds in Fund 1170, budget unit 426 Housing, Outreach, and Mobile Engagement (HOME) for fiscal year (FY) 2020-21. The ECG-CV grant funds will be included in the budget creation for FY 2021-22. Acceptance of the ESG-CV Round 2 funding made available by HCD will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to apply for and, if awarded, accept ESG-CV Round 2 funds made available by HCD. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not allow the County of Humboldt to obtain funding that would be used to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services to Apply for and, if Awarded, Accept Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Emergency Solutions Grants Program - Coronavirus Round 2
2. Emergency Solutions Grants Program - Coronavirus Notice of Funding Availability - Round 2 dated October 2, 2020
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-8
Meeting of: 07/14/20
File No.: 20-830; 20-1472