To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
SUBJECT:
title
9:30 AM - Presentation on the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Local Action Plan.
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a presentation by the Department of Health and Human Services and the California Center for Rural Policy on the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Local Action Plan;
2. Receive public comment on the Local Action Plan
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund
DISCUSSION:
On December 17, 2021, the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (“HCFC”) announced the availability of One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) in noncompetitive block grant funds for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (“HHAP”) Program Round Three. The HHAP Program is intended to allow cities, counties and local Continuums of Care to address immediate homelessness challenges throughout the state. As a result, HHAP Program funding may be used for a broad range of activities that are designed to assist people experiencing homelessness with obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, including all of the following:
• Rental assistance, housing relocation and stabilization, outreach, coordination, homelessness prevention and shelter diversion services;
• Operating subsidies in new and existing affordable or supportive housing units, emergency shelters and navigation centers;
• Security deposits, holding fees and other landlord incentives;
• Operational support related to the creation and maintenance of a homeless services and housing delivery system; and
• Capital improvements, including, without limitation, conversion of hotels or motels to permanent housing and construction of new navigation centers and emergency shelters based on demonstrated jurisdictional need.
Pursuant to the HHAP Program allocation formula, which is based on the proportionate share of the state’s total homeless population as reflected by the 2019 point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness, the County of Humboldt has been allocated Two Million Three Hundred Seventy-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Four Dollars and Thirty-Eight Cents ($2,377,544.38), and the Humboldt County Continuum of Care has been allocated Two Million Five Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Sixty-Eight Dollars and Ninety-Seven Cents ($2,547,368.97), in HHAP funding. 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 receive and administer funding made available through the HHAP Program. As a result, the County of Humboldt is the only entity that may apply for the HHAP Program funding allocated to the Humboldt County Continuum of Care.
On December 23, 2021, HCFC announced that Humboldt County had been awarded an initial disbursement in the amount of One Million Two Hundred Thirty-One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars and Thirty-Four Cents ($1,231,228.34). To receive the initial disbursement, the County was required to execute the Initial Disbursement Contract for Funds by January 22, 2022.
On January 28, 2022, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) executed the Initial Disbursement Contract for HHAP funding in accordance with the requirements of the award letter issued by HCFC on December 23, 2022. DHHS will receive the remainder disbursement in the amount of Three Million Six Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Five Dollars and One Cent ($3,693,685.01) after approval of the HHAP-3 application and full execution of the Remainder Disbursement Contract for Funds.
DHHS, on behalf of the County and as the administrative entity for the Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition, is required to submit a local homelessness action plan that includes a landscape analysis of needs, demographics, funding, outcome goals, and strategies for achieving those goals. The local homeless action plan must be agendized at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors including public comment before submitting the application to the HCFC to receive the remainder of the HHAP funding disbursement. The application is due June 30, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Expenditure appropriations related to the allocations of HHAP Program funding have
been included in the approved FY 2021-22 budget for DHHS - Social Services HOME budget unit
1160-520. As a result, approval of the allocations of HHAP Program funding 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:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program Round 3 Notice of Funding Availability dated December 17, 2021
2. Homelessness Action Plan, including a Landscape Analysis of Needs, Demographics, and Funding, Outcome Goals, and Strategies for Achieving those Goals
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-11
Meeting of: May 3, 2022
File No.: 22-506