REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  July  17, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-14.

SUBJECT:

HOME Grant Application in the amount of $500,000 to provide Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for homeless persons in Shasta County.

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Laura Burch, Director of Housing and Community Action Agency , 530-225-5160

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Laura Burch, Director of Housing and Community Action Agency

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution which: (1) Approves and authorizes the Director of Housing and Community Action Programs (Director) to sign and submit an application, and all other application documents, including retroactive, to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to provide a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program for the period October 2019 through March 2022; (2) approves and authorizes the Chairman or the Vice Chairman to sign any grant agreement and subsequent amendments, including retroactive, and all other required documents, provided they otherwise comply with Administrative Policy 6-101, Shasta County Contracts Manual; (3) approves and authorizes the Director to sign additional participation documents, including retroactive, necessary to receive the funding and comply with the funder’s requirements;  (4) authorizes the Director, or her designee, to execute housing assistance payment contracts between landlords and the County; (5) authorizes the Director to incur expenditures and make specialty purchases for the purpose of administering the HOME TBRA program; and (6) authorizes the Auditor-Controller to process payments related to the program.

SUMMARY

Upon approval of the recommendation, a grant application will be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requesting federal HOME funding to provide up to 12 months of rental assistance to homeless households in Shasta County.

DISCUSSION

HCD is accepting grant applications for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).  The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) anticipates awarding a total of $72 million to eligible cities and counties.  The NOFA offers funding for three program activities.  Currently, the County utilizes other state and federal funding sources to support owner-occupied housing rehabilitation and homebuyer down payment assistance; therefore, the recommended application is for tenant-based rental assistance for the maximum application amount available to Shasta County.

If awarded, grant funds would provide assistance in the form of security deposits, utility deposits, and monthly rental assistance.  Payments would be issued directly to landlords and/or utility companies on behalf of the eligible tenants.  Each housing unit would be located in the unincorporated area of the County.

It is anticipated that approximately 80 low-income homeless households will be assisted during the term of the grant.  Assistance will be targeted to military veterans, households experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.  Because of the limited number of households served, other funding sources, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program, must be used for other target populations in need.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board of Supervisors could decline to adopt the resolution or apply for a different grant activity.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.  County Counsel has approved the resolution as to form.

FINANCING

HOME is federal funding allocated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.  If the application is successful, a HOME grant of $500,000 could be awarded, which would include $487,500 for rental assistance and $12,500 to administer the program.

Additional financial support to administer the HOME program is provided by the Community Action Agency, through Community Services Block Grant funds, in the form of communication expenses, computer hardware and software support charges, staff salaries and benefits, postage, and office supplies.  Should this grant application be approved by HCD, a budget amendment will be requested.  Grant revenue not expended during one fiscal year will roll forward to the next fiscal year.  There is no match requirement for this grant application. There is no additional General Fund impact.