To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Regarding Acceptance of Funding Made Available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program
end
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Waive the requirements of the Humboldt County Nuclear-Free Ordinance with regard to the attached grant agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
2. Approve, and authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached grant agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding acceptance of funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program; and
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent applications, agreements, amendments, certifications, attestations and other documents required or deemed necessary for the Department of Health and Human Services to accept and secure funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
4. 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
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Housing for All
Strategic Plan Category: 4001 - Provide housing and sheltering solutions for people experiencing homelessness
DISCUSSION:
On June 6, 2024, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity which announced the availability of approximately $72 million through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program. The goal of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program is to support selected communities in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing, and ending, youth homelessness. The population to be served by the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program is youth under 24 years of age, including, without limitation, unaccompanied youth and pregnant or parenting youth, who are experiencing homelessness.
In August 2024, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) applied for funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program on behalf of the Humboldt County Continuum of Care, Humboldt Housing and Homelessness Coalition. HUD subsequently awarded the County of Humboldt $1,125,890 in Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program funding over an initial 2-year grant term, on Oct. 29, 2024. HUD has made 3% of the award amount available to fund initial planning activities. Funds used on initial planning activities may only be used for costs of planning related to preventing and ending youth homelessness in the community.
The Humboldt Housing and Homelessness Coalition must submit, and HUD must approve, the first draft of a Coordinated Community Plan to address youth homelessness before the County of Humboldt will be eligible to receive the remainder of the award. After the first draft of the Coordinated Community Plan is approved, applicants may apply for projects up to the total amount made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, minus amounts previously awarded for planning activities. The attached grant agreement with HUD will allow DHHS to receive up to $33,776 in funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program to support the development of the above-referenced Coordinated Community Plan.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached grant agreement with HUD regarding acceptance of funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program. Staff also recommend that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent applications, agreements, amendments, certifications, attestations and other documents required or deemed necessary for DHHS to accept and secure funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration 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 funding needed to prevent youth homelessness in Humboldt County.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund (1160-520), Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1160-520) |
FY24-25 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$33,776.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$33,776.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1160-520) |
FY24-25 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$33,776.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$33,776.00 |
As noted above, the attached grant agreement with HUD will allow DHHS to receive up to $33,776 in funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program. Revenue and expenditure appropriations related to the allocation of funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program have been included in the approved fiscal year 2024-2025 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-520.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval of the attached grant agreement with HUD will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached grant agreement with HUD regarding acceptance of funding made available through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program. However, this alternative is not recommended as it would hinder the development of the Coordinated Community Plan, which is required in order for the County of Humboldt to access the remainder of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program funding awarded thereto.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Youth Homelessness Demonstration Grant Agreement
2. Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Application
3. Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None