To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round Four
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a presentation by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the fourth round of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director to execute, and submit, any and all applications, agreements, amendments, certifications, attestations and other documents required or deemed necessary for the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for, accept and secure funding made available through the fourth round of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit with one fully executed certified copy of the Board Order related to this item.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund
DISCUSSION:
On Sept. 30, 2022, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) announced the availability of $1 billion in noncompetitive block grant funds for the fourth 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.
The HHAP Program allocation formula is based on the proportionate share of the state’s total homeless population as reflected by the 2022 point-in-time (PIT) count of people experiencing homelessness. Unlike previous rounds of HHAP funding, the County of Humboldt must apply for funding without knowing what the allocation will be. Cal ICH is waiting for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to publish the results of the 2022 PIT Count before it publishes the HHAP Round Four allocations. Once the application is approved, the County of Humboldt will be required to submit a more detailed budget including specific dollar amounts for each eligible use category. 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.
The HHAP Program Round Four application must be agendized at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors, including public comment, before it can be submitted to Cal ICH. The application is due Nov. 29, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Revenue and expenditure appropriations related to the allocations of HHAP Program Round Four funding have been included in the approved fiscal year 2022-2023 budget for DHHS - Social Services HOME budget unit 1160-520. As a result, the recommended actions 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. Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round Four Application
2. Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round Four Data Tables
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: K-1
Meeting of: June 14, 2022
File No.: 22-749