To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Authorizing Application for and Acceptance of the County Allocation Award under the Housing Navigators 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 County Allocation Award under the Housing Navigators Program; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a fully executed certified copy of the attached resolution to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for submission to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Housing Navigators Program Fund
DISCUSSION:
On Oct. 15, 2021 the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued an Allocation Acceptance form under the Housing Navigators Program (HNP) for $5 million authorized by item 2240-103-0001 of Section 2 of the California Budget Act of 2019, as amended by California Assembly Bill 128, for the support of housing navigators to help young adults aged 18 years and up to 21 years secure and maintain housing, with priority given to young adults in the foster care system.
On Nov. 4, 2021, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) submitted an application for HNP funding to HCD in accordance with the requirements of the Allocation Acceptance form dated Nov. 4, 2021. If received, DHHS - Child Welfare Services will use such funding to support the following eligible activities, including, without limitation:
• Assist young adults aged 18-21 secure and maintain housing (with priority given to young adults in the state’s foster care system);
• Provide housing case management which include essential services in emergency supports to foster youth;
• Prevent young adults from becoming homeless;
• Improve coordination of services and linkages to key resources across the community including those from within the child welfare system and the local Continuum of Care.
HCD requires that each applicant for HNP funding adopt a resolution to authorize and direct the application and acceptance of their HNP Allocation award up to the amount authorized in the Allocation Acceptance form and applicable state law, along with any and all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to accept HNP funding. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution which authorizes the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to accept HNP funding made available by HCD.
This resolution was considered and signed by the Board on Dec. 7, 2021 but HCD has only recently informed DHHS that the resolution was rejected for formatting requirements that staff had not understood were mandatory. For this reason, the same resolution is before you now.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the attached resolution authorizes the DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to accept HNP funding in the amount of $30,495 in the fiscal year (FY) 2021-22. The funding will be received by DHHS-Social Services in Fund 1160, Budget Unit 508 Child Welfare Services. This funding was anticipated and included in the annual county budget process. There will be no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s 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 DHHS Director, or a designee thereof, to accept HNP funding made available by HCD. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will not allow the County of Humboldt to obtain funding that would be used to support vulnerable youth experiencing homelessness.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Funding Made Available through the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Housing Navigators Program
2. Housing Navigators Program Allocation Acceptance Form dated November 04, 2021
3. State of California Government Agency Taxpayer Identification Form
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C10
Meeting of: 5/5/2020
File No.: 20-487; 21-1721