REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  September  12, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-17.

SUBJECT:

Emergency Solutions Grant Application Resolution

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Melissa Janulewicz, Branch Director, HHSA Regional Services, (530) 245-7638

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Melissa Janulewicz, Branch Director, HHSA Regional Services, (530) 245-7638

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution regarding the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program grant for the Rapid Rehousing Program and the Homeless Management Information System which:  (1) Approves the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director, or any HHSA Branch Director designated by the HHSA Director, to sign and submit the grant application; (2) certifies funds will be expended in a manner consistent and in compliance with all applicable laws, including ESG Program rules; and (3) approves and authorizes the Chairman to sign the grant agreement for the period January 1, 2018 through September 30, 2020, and any subsequent amendments, provided that County Counsel approves as to form and the agreement does not exceed $200,000.

SUMMARY

Upon approval of the recommendation, a grant application will be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requesting federal and state ESG funding to provide Rapid Rehousing and Prevention services to homeless residents of Shasta County. A portion of this funding will also be used to support Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) activities.

DISCUSSION

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers a federal program known as the ESG program. HCD is currently accepting applications for the ESG program. The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) offers funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street, improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families, help operate these shelters, provide essential services to shelter residents, rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and prevent families from becoming homeless.

According to the 2017 ESG NOFA released August 1, 2017, HCD received approximately $4.9 million dollars in federal ESG funds from US Department of Housing and Urban Development and approximately $3.3 million dollars from California Budget Bill, SB 837.  The $200,000 budget consists of $77,825 in California ESG funds and $122,175 in federal funds.  Per CFR 24 576.201, federal ESG funds require dollar for dollar match.  Match funding is provided using the HHSA existing CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) allocation funding. 

The intent of the application is to provide Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing assistance to homeless individuals and families in Shasta County by providing up to 24 months rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services which may include rental application fees, security deposits, rental subsidies, moving expenses, utility deposits, and credit checks.  The assistance would be available to all qualifying households in the County.

It is anticipated that upon the completion of the grant activity a minimum of 15 households will obtain permanent, ongoing housing.

The application is due to HCD on September 15, 2017.  It is anticipated awards will be announced December 2017.  If this application is successful, homeless rapid rehousing activities would begin as soon as a contract is executed.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the submission of the grant application and/or the designated grant agreement signature authority.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The Rating and Ranking Committee for the CA-516 Homeless Continuum of Care which includes Shasta County and six other Northern California counties recommended the HHSA proposal for submission to HCD. County Counsel has approved the resolution as to form.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

If the grant application is successful, an ESG grant of $200,000 could be awarded.  Grant funds would be used to assist individuals experiencing homelessness to obtain permanent housing or prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.  There is no county match requirement for California ESG funds and dollar for dollar match requirement for the federal ESG funds will be fulfilled through the HHSA CalWORKs Housing Support Program. Should the grant application be approved, appropriations will be included in the future fiscal year budget requests. The department will submit a budget amendment if the funds are received during the current Fiscal Year.  There is no additional General Fund impact associated with approval of the recommendation.