REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  August  22, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-10.

SUBJECT:

F/Y 2017/2018 Budget Amendment Homeless Continuum of Care

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Richard Kuhns, Psy.D, Director of Housing/Community Action Programs, (530) 225-5160

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Richard Kuhns, Psy.D, Director of Housing/Community Action Programs

RECOMMENDATION

Approve a budget amendment increasing appropriations by $39,732 and revenue by $42,732 in the Community Action Agency budget to carry out homeless Continuum of Care activities including the purchase of a new homeless management information browser-based software system and development of a coordinated entry system.

SUMMARY

The recommended budget amendment will allow the Community Action Agency to fulfill obligations associated with new homeless Continuum of Care funding.  Additionally, the recommended budget amendment will provide sufficient budget authority to pay the FY 2017-18 General Fund match to Planning and Service Area 2 Area Agency on Aging (PSA2AAA).

DISCUSSION

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded two federal homeless Continuum of Care program grants to the County of Shasta.  Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency is providing funding for homeless Continuum of Care activities through the Whole Person Care grant.  The increase in salaries and benefit amounts is due to the addition of one new permanent Office Assistant III position effective November 12, 2017, to support the homeless management information system (HMIS) and the promotion of a Housing & Community Programs Specialist II to the new classification of Housing & Community Programs Specialist III.  The increase in services and supply amounts will provide budget authority to purchase a new HMIS, expand HMIS use throughout the seven-county Continuum of Care area, develop a coordinated entry system (CES) for homeless individuals and families, and support service and supply expenses related to administration of HMIS and CES.

The County General Fund contribution to the Community Action Agency for Building Cost Plan Charges will be reduced by $4,821, as the new funding sources will pay for these charges.  A portion of that savings will be used to provide sufficient budget authority in Support & Care of Persons to increase the County General Fund match for PSA2AAA by $1,821 from $41,338 to $43,159.  Local match is provided each year through a joint powers agreement for the PSA2AAA.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could request additional information from staff.  The Board could decline to approve the recommendation.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

This recommendation has been reviewed by the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency and by the County Administrative Office.  The Auditor-Controller’s Office has received the request to amend the budget.

FINANCING

HUD awarded $59,358 from the federal continuum of care program and Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency is providing $145,142 from the Whole Person Care grant.  Net County cost will be reduced by $3,000 in the Community Action Agency budget unit with approval of the recommendation.