To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Permanent Local Housing Grant Program Allocations for Funding to Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc. and SoHum Housing Opportunities for the Provision of Engagement Services; Case Management and Supportive Services to Individuals Who are Experiencing Homelessness in Humboldt County.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the two recommended allocations of funding to Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc. and SoHum Housing Opportunities regarding the provision of engagement; case management and supportive services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Humboldt County for the expenditure period to commence no sooner than April 14, 2021 and continue until June 30, 2022;
2. Authorize the Director of the Planning and Building Department, or a designee thereof, to enter into and execute a professional services agreement, and any and all subsequent amendments made thereto, with SoHum Housing Opportunities, upon review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office in accordance with County Purchasing Policy;
3. Direct the Planning and Building Department Director, or a designee thereof, to continue contract negotiations with Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc., and return to the Board with a final contract in accordance with County Purchasing Policy; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed certified copy of the Board order to the Planning and Building Department-Long Range Planning Division.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation (“PLHA”) program funding.
DISCUSSION:
In October 2020, the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) awarded Humboldt County $344,448 through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (“PLHA”) program.
On July 10, 2020, the Housing Trust Fund and Homelessness Solutions Committee (“HTFHSC”) recommended to the Board the PLHA funding be set aside for sanitation and other supportive services and to fund such things as “temporary structures, food and other basic needs”. The Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 20-61 on July 14, 2020, which established a suballocation of $144,668 for the county’s HTFHSC to bring forward homelessness solutions activities to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
At a meeting on Oct. 8, 2020, HTFHSC agreed to develop a proposed Request for Proposals (RFP) in collaboration with Planning and Building staff for the suballocation. An Ad Hoc Subcommittee was then formed and tasked with providing input to the county on activities to be prioritized as part of the RFP. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) staff’s expertise was helpful in aligning the HTFHSC’s priority for activities that address hygiene needs of those experiencing homelessness with the PLHA requirement that assistance be tied to a housing need.
The county received technical assistance and interpretation from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”) that ensures the provision services for engagement, case management and supportive services, would be eligible activities under the PLHA Guidelines.
On Feb. 11, 2021, the Planning and Building Department in coordination with the HTFHSC released a Request for Proposals to solicit proposals from qualified community organizations interested in working collaboratively with the county to implement service-based homelessness assistance projects as part of the PLHA program. The department received a total of two proposals in response to the referenced RFP: one from Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc. (“AHHA”) and one from SoHum Housing Opportunities (“SHO”).
Because the total funds requested in the two proposals was $31,633 below the Board’s suballocation, during their March 25, 2021, the HTFHSC asked that the two proposers be given an opportunity to submit additional budget information for equal portions of the $31,633, or $15,816 each. Both proposers responded affirmatively to the request and submitted additional information. As HTFHSC staff and subject matter experts, DHHS has advised both proposals meet PLHA threshold requirements. As part of the HTFHSC’s April 14, 2021 meeting, both proposals and their revised budgets were recommended for funding unanimously by the HTFHSC. The Planning Director supports and concurs with the HTFHSC’s recommendation.
The PLHA funding is facilitating capacity building for both organizations so they will be better able to serve vulnerable populations in our community. In sum the AHHA’s allocation is for ongoing support of their existing engagement and case management activities. Funding will also be used to hire a community outreach worker, part-time, who will further supplement AHHA’s services. AHHA’s popular mobile showers will be an engagement cost. AHHA’s proposal has a maximum amount payable of $97,264.17.
SHO’s allocation will support full time staff who will provide outreach and case management to unhoused folks and to assist with getting people into housing. Concurrent with the PLHA funding, SHO is working with DHHS on an Emergency Solutions Grant-COVID (“ESG-CV”). SHO’s proposal has a maximum amount payable of $46,836.
|
$ 46,836.00 |
SHO |
|
$ 97,264.17 |
AHHA |
|
$ 144,100.17 |
Total |
|
$ 144,668.00 |
Tl. Board Suballocation per Resolution 20-61 |
|
$ 144,100.17 |
Tl. Requested Allocation |
|
$ 567.83 |
Difference |
DHHS and Planning and Building staff have collaborated extensively on this funding suballocation, and will continue to collaborate on the distribution and administration of the program. The Planning and Building Department serves as the lead County agency, and DHHS will continue to provide technical assistance.
Due to the five year funding cycle of the PHLA program, the county has flexibility to negotiate appropriate commencement dates for AHHA’s and SHO’s professional services agreements. Commencement dates of no sooner than April 14, 2021 aligns with the date when the HTFHSC recommended both proposals be awarded. Nonetheless, AHHA or SHO may advise the county that a later commencement date better meets their needs, which would work with this program as well. This suballocation of funding will close on June 30, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The PLHA program is funded through real estate transaction taxes. The attached recommended allocation for funding to Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc. has a maximum amount payable of $97,264.17, and the recommended allocation for funding to SoHum Housing Opportunities has a maximum amount payable of $46,836.00. However, in the event that local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the professional services agreements with Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc. and SoHum Housing in their entirety.
The PLHA Standard Agreement allows up to five percent (5%) of the funds to be used for the general administration of the PLHA program. These funds will be used to reimburse county staff time for administration of the program.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations , creating opportunities for improved safety and health of local communities, providing community-appropriate levels of service, and facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Housing Trust Fund and Homeless Solutions Committee guided the development of the RFP and evaluating proposals received in response to the RFP. Collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services will continue as discussed herein.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose to not approve the attached allocations for Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, Inc. and/or SoHum Housing Opportunities. This alternative is not recommended since the proposals will provide needed services through the use of funds that would not otherwise be available.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: SoHum Housing Opportunities Proposal
Attachment 2: AHHA Proposal
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: 20-61
Meetings of: January 14, 2020, April 28, 2020, and July 14, 2020
File No.: 20-4, 20-440, and 20-828.