To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to accept funding made available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Mental Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) Program on August 15, 2018. This is the first of two NOFAs for the CESH Program. A second NOFA is expected to be released in the early part of 2019.
The Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition designated the County of Humboldt as the Administrative Entity to receive and administer funding made available through the CESH Program. As a result, the County of Humboldt is the only entity in Humboldt County that may apply for CESH funding. The 2018 CESH Formula Allocation for Humboldt County is Nine Hundred Thirty-One Thousand Twenty-Six Dollars ($931,026.00).
On October 15, 2018, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) submitted an application for CESH funding to HCD in accordance with the requirements of the NOFA dated August 15, 2018. If received, DHHS - Mental Health will use such funding to support eligible activities, including, without limitation, rental assistance, interim housing, mitigation of damages incurred by property owners providing housing to persons experiencing homelessness and support for emergency housing interventions, as approved by HCD.
The county’s application for CESH funding was submitted to HCD with the County Administrative Officer’s approval in accordance with the county’s grant application procedures. However, HCD requires that each applicant for CESH funding adopt a resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a State of California Standard Agreement, and any future amendments thereto, along with any and all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to accept CESH funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
HCD recommends that applicants for CESH funding list an approved dollar amount that is at least double the amount expected to be awarded based on current formula calculations. As a result, the attached resolution authorizes the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to accept CESH funding in an amount not to exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of CESH funding. However, this alternative is not recommended since it would not allow the County to obtain funding that would be used to support persons experiencing homelessness.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program
2. California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program Notice of Funding Availability dated August 15, 2018
3. California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program Funding Application dated October 15, 2018
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A