To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt Regarding the Implementation and Administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt regarding the implementation and administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County for the period of April 8, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2034; and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations, forms and documents directly associated with, the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt, 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 (1) 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:
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development makes tenant-based rental assistance vouchers available to public housing authorities through the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program for the purpose of assisting youth who are between eighteen (18) and twenty-four (24) years of age, have left foster care, or will leave foster care within ninety (90) days of referral to the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program, in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act and are homeless, or is at risk of becoming homeless, at sixteen (16) years of age or older with obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
The Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt intends to apply for twenty-five (25) vouchers made available by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program. As a condition of accepting the vouchers made available through the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program, the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt is required to establish a partnership with the local public child welfare agency regarding the referral of, and provision of supportive services to, eligible youth. The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has agreed to make the necessary referrals and provide the required supportive services to eligible youth in order to allow for the implementation and administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County for the period of April 8, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2034.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute, the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt regarding the implementation and administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County for the period of April 8, 2025, through September 30, 2034. It is also recommended that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations, forms and documents directly associated with, the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the implementation and administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services fund 1160, Budget Unit 520 HOME - Housing Community Development Funds 740050 and Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funds 590074
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1160-520) |
FY25-26 Projected* |
FY26-27 Projected* |
FY27-28 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$197,791.00 |
$204,916.00 |
$225,407.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$197,791.00 |
$204,916.00 |
$225,407.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1160-520) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
FY27-28 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$197,791.00 |
$204,916.00 |
$225,407.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$197,791.00 |
$204,916.00 |
$225,407.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt, DHHS will be required to provide various supportive services to eligible youth referred to the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program. The provision of such supportive services will result in staffing and other related costs totaling Six Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand One Hundred Fourteen Dollars ($625,114.00) for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.
Expenditure appropriations related to the provision of the supportive services required pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt will be included in the proposed fiscal 2025-26 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-520. Funding for the provision of the supportive services is available through state and federal grant revenues received by DHHS - Social Services.
STAFFING IMPACT:
A Community Health Outreach Worker position was allocated to DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-520 as part of the approved fiscal year 2024-25 budget for the purpose of providing the supportive services required pursuant to the terms and conditions of the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt. However, due to the current hiring freeze DHHS has elected to use a currently filled position to provide the required supportive services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt regarding the implementation and administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will severely limit DHHS’ ability to assist eligible youth with obtaining and maintaining stable housing in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt Regarding the Implementation and Administration of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative Voucher Program in Humboldt County
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None