To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Submission of a Grant Application to The California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program Coronavirus Response Round 1 (CDBG-CV1)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt attached Resolution (Resolution 20-__) (Attachment 1) doing the following:
a. Approving an application for funding to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) for the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Program Coronavirus Response Round 1(CDBG-CV1) in an amount not to exceed $289,181.
b. Authorizing and directing the Planning and Building Department Director to execute, in the name of the County of Humboldt, the application, the Standard Agreement, and all other documents required by HCD for participation in the CDBG-CV1 Program, and any amendments.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV1) allocation and CDBG Program Income.
DISCUSSION:
On June 5, 2020 the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Coronavirus Response Round 1 (CDBG-CV1) funding. HCD will be accepting applications until August 31, 2020. This funding was made available through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law March 27, 2020. HCD will be distributing this funding to non-entitlement jurisdictions on a formula allocation basis. Humboldt County and its incorporated cities are non-entitlement jurisdictions and apply for CDBG funding through HCD. Humboldt County is eligible to apply for $289,181 under the CDBG-CV1 NOFA.
The CDBG-CV1 funding was made available to help communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible activities must principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons. Allowable activities under CDBG-CV Round 1 include: Public services to respond to COVID-19 impacts, Public facility improvements to increase capacity of healthcare facilities (facility improvements must include a documented connection with healthcare facility needs), Public facility acquisition, provided that the end use increases healthcare facility capacity, Acquisition and/or improvement of housing facilities for persons experiencing homelessness, Economic Development with a focus on job retention including business assistance and microenterprise assistance. Applicants must document that the funding applied for does not duplicate services or normal governmental functions. All CDBG-CV1 funding must be fully expended within one year of disbursement from the state. In addition, any activity that involves construction must be “shovel ready” with a site secured and plans prepared that are ready to bid. This NOFA allows up to three activities per jurisdiction.
A meeting was held on June 29, 2020 to introduce the funding source and attract proposals for funding. Five proposals were received, three met the eligibility requirements set forth in the NOFA and two that did not. The Proposals are listed below in the order received:
a. Covid-19 Health Service Improvements -Redwoods Rural Health Center (RRHC) in Redway. This proposal includes the addition of an all-weather entry awning for the clinic and parking lot improvements that will increase patient and staff safety for the provision of curbside medical services and Covid-19 testing. Request was for $103,202.
b. Boyd Road Night Shelter Covid-19 Safety Improvements - The Arcata House Partnership operates a night shelter in the Arcata area on Boyd Road. Their operational capacity has been diminished with the implementation of social distancing procedures. The proposal would make improvements to their yard and erect a 4-season tent that will act as a living and dining space for guests. This will free up space in the building for socially distanced sleeping arrangements. Request was for $73,000.
c. Food Aid and Hotel Stays for Southern Humboldt Homeless - Southern Humboldt Housing Opportunities (SHHO). SHHO has been implementing a food aid and hotel stay program with assistance from DHHS and Humboldt Area Foundation. This program provides hotel stays for at risk homeless individuals so that they may shelter in place. SHHO has also implemented a food drop program for homeless individuals camping on the outskirts of Garberville/Redway. SHHO has requested $41,300 to continue this program through November 2021.
d. Emergency Rental Assistance Program - proposed by the Redwood Community Action Agency. This Program would help prevent evictions of people who have suffered a loss of income due to Covid-19. Your Board approved a similar activity at the July 28 meeting as part of the CARES Act funding request. That allocation is scheduled to be expended by December 31, 2020 and will be administered by DHHS. This is a worthwhile program, but it has been funded by other monies. If the funds run out it is possible that the program could be funded with a future round of CDBG-CV funding. RCAA requested $189,328 for the program.
e. Groundwork: Building Lives by Building Structure. This proposal involves the construction and placing of modular residency units for the purpose of quarantine and shelter in place purposes. Units are to be constructed in Hoopa and placed either in Hoopa or Eureka. This proposal lacked site control documentation which is a key component of “shovel ready” status and was therefore ineligible for CDBG funding in this round.
County Staff conducted a proposal evaluation process and recommend the following projects for funding:
1. Food Aid and Hotel Stays for Southern Humboldt Homeless: This program will help homeless individuals shelter in place and practice social distancing in an area of the County that has historically been underserved by County services. Proposed assistance amount not to exceed $55,410
2. Boyd Road Night Shelter Covid-19 Improvements: Funding will allow the shelter to continue full occupancy operation through the Covid-19 crisis. Proposed assistance amount not to exceed $93,000.
3. Covid-19 Health Service Improvements: Funding will allow Redwoods Rural Health Center to adapt its patient care system to providing socially distanced care and testing through the Covid-19 crisis. Proposed assistance amount not to exceed $127,000.
4. Program Administration: The department will apply for up to 5% of the grant to manage the program. Proposed amount not to exceed $13,771.
These three activities, plus allowable administration, will total $289,181 which accounts for the entirety of Humboldt County’s CDBG-CV1 allocation. It is possible there may be another round of CDBG-CV funding later.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This action solicits grant funds from the State of California in the amount of $289,181 and will not affect the General Fund, because all costs associated with the activities will be provided by the grant.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Housing and Community Development.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may decide not to apply for the CDBG-CV1 funds; or the Board may choose to approve different proposals.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Draft Resolution Approving an application for funding to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) for the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Program Coronavirus Response Round 1(CDBG-CV1) in an amount not to exceed $289,181.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A