To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt Regarding the Referral of Eligible Individuals and Families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and ratify the Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Director’s execution of, the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt regarding the referral of eligible individuals and families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program for the period of Aug. 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2030; and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to 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 certified copy of the Board Order regarding the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
DISCUSSION:
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency Housing Voucher Program provides tenant-based rental assistance vouchers to public housing authorities that are set aside for individuals and families who are: experiencing homelessness; at risk of experiencing homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking; or were recently homeless, and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent homelessness or a high risk of housing instability.
The Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt recently received 182 emergency housing vouchers from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. As a condition of accepting the emergency housing vouchers, the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt is required to establish a partnership with the Humboldt County Continuum of Care regarding the implementation and administration of the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. The Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition, which serves as the Continuum of Care for Humboldt County, has designated the County of Humboldt as the administrative entity to work in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt to implement and administer the Emergency Housing Voucher Program in Humboldt County.
The attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt will allow the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to refer eligible individuals and families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program for the period of Aug. 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2030. It should be noted that the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt comes to the Board after the start date thereof due to inadvertent delays that occurred during the contract development process.
Accordingly, DHHS recommends that the Board approve, and ratify the DHHS Assistant Director’s execution of, the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt regarding the referral of eligible individuals and families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program for the period of Aug. 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2030. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to 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 referral of eligible individuals and families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no costs associated with the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt. As a result, approval of the attached memorandum of understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations creating opportunities for improved health and safety, supporting the self-reliance of citizens and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition
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 referral of eligible individuals and families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow for implementation of the Emergency Housing Voucher Program in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Authority of the County of Humboldt Regarding the Referral of Eligible Individuals and Families to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A