To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services to Jointly Apply For, and Secure, if Awarded, Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute and deliver a State of California Standard Agreement, and any other agreements, amendments, certifications and documents necessary to jointly apply for, and secure, if awarded, up to $4.6 million in funding made available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey Program;
2. Ratify the Department of Health and Human Services Director’s execution and submission of the attached joint application for funding made available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey Program;
3. Approve a sole source exception to the applicable procurement requirements pursuant to Section 6.7 - Sole Source Purchases of the Humboldt County Purchasing Policy; and
4. 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:
California Department of Housing and Community Development - Homekey Program
DISCUSSION:
On July 16, 2020, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) issued a Notice of Funding Availability for the Homekey Program (Homekey). This program is designed to build on the Project Roomkey effort to provide shelter to Californian’s experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for serious illness and are impacted by COVID-19.
HCD is administering $600 million in grant funding for local public entities and tribal governments to purchase, rehabilitate and convert hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings and other buildings into interim or permanent, long-term housing. Of that amount, $550 million allocated to the Homekey Program is derived from the state’s direct allocation of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds (CRF), and the remaining $50 million comes from the state General Fund.
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been participating in the Project Roomkey initiative since its inception in March in order to protect eligible Humboldt County residents. Through June 30, 2020, DHHS provided Project Roomkey non-congregate shelter to 157 individuals. The Humboldt Inn, located at 1140 Fourth Street in Eureka, has been an integral partner in these efforts.
Funding received under the Homekey Program will be used to support Providence Health’s ongoing efforts to acquire and convert the Humboldt Inn to permanent housing for eligible Humboldt County residents. On July 31, 2020, DHHS and Providence Health participated in a mandatory pre-application consultation with HCD. The proposed purchase of the Humboldt Inn was discussed as an intended use of Homekey funding.
Homekey projects that involve an acquisition with CRF funds must expend the money by Dec. 30, 2020 and escrow must be closed by that date. The portion of funds which are derived from the state General Fund must be expended by June 30, 2022. Due to the limited amount of time available to apply for and expend Homekey funding, and Providence Health’s pending acquisition of the Humboldt Inn, Section 6.7 - Sole Source Purchases of the Humboldt County Purchasing Policy allows for the selection of Providence Health as a development sponsor without issuance of an Request for Proposals soliciting other Homekey projects.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute and deliver a State of California Standard Agreement, and any other agreements, amendments, certifications and documents necessary to jointly apply for and secure, if awarded, up to $4.6 million in funding made available through the Homekey Program. Staff also recommends that the Board ratify the DHHS Director’s execution and submission of the attached joint application for funding made available through the Homekey Program, and approve a sole source exception to the applicable procurement requirements pursuant to Section 6.7 - Sole Source Purchases of the Humboldt County Purchasing Policy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
If awarded, the state will disburse all Homekey funds to Providence Health after HCD has received a request for funds and a fully executed State of California Standard Agreement. If awarded we will come back to your Board with a supplemental budget in Fund 1175, Budget Unit 455 Public Health Preparedness Program and tracked with the other COVID funding sources. As a result, adoption of the attached resolution 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:
Providence Health
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached resolution authorizing DHHS to apply for, and secure, if awarded, funding made available through the Homekey Program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not allow DHHS to collaborate with Providence Health to acquire and convert the Humboldt Inn to permanent housing for eligible Humboldt County residents.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services to Jointly Apply For, and Secure, if Awarded, Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey Program
2. Joint Application for Homekey Program Funding
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
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