DATE: March 11, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Resolution Approving an Application for Emergency Solutions Grant Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution approving the County of Fresno, through the Department, on behalf of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, to submit an application for Emergency Solutions Grant funding administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services, on behalf of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC), to apply for 2024 Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). This Item is countywide and includes Madera County.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended action, the FMCoC would forfeit $1,257,764 in ESG funding available to assist persons experiencing homelessness across the two counties.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If the recommended resolution is approved, the Department will apply for ESG funding and HCD will contract with the County to make $1,257,764 available, with 1% ($12,577) for administrative costs. Although $1,257,764 has been allocated to the FMCoC, the proposed resolution lists $1,886,646, at the direction of HCD, as award amounts are frequently recalculated. Additionally, $314,441 is included in the proposed resolution should any remaining funds become available after the application deadline. Listing these amounts in the resolution will prevent the need for a new resolution, should additional funding be made available to the FMCoC. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2025-2026 Requested Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The State makes ESG funds, received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), available to Continuums of Care each year. As the FMCoC is not a legal entity, the Department has been designated the Administrative Entity for the FMCoC for this and other homeless services funding. Previously, HCD made ESG funds available on an annual basis, however, effective with the 2024 award, one Notice of Funding Availability will be issued every three years capturing three years of estimated HUD funding. One Standard Agreement will be issued for the three-year cycle, with annual amendments to add the additional funds. Locally, ESG funds may be used to provide services within the FMCoC jurisdiction, with a focus on non-entitlement areas. These areas include those units of general local government which do not receive funds directly from HUD. Within the County, non-entitlement areas include Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, Parlier, Orange Cove, and San Joaquin. Non-entitlement areas within the FMCoC jurisdiction also include the City and County of Madera. ESG funds may be used for five program components: Street Outreach/Emergency Shelter; Homelessness Prevention; Rapid Rehousing Assistance; Homeless Management Information System; and Administrative Activities.
Approval of the recommended action will authorize the Department, on behalf of the FMCoC, to apply for funds, allowing additional homeless services to be provided throughout its jurisdiction. Upon award, HCD will issue the Standard Agreement, which will be brought to your Board for approval. The recommended resolution indicates that your Board will maintain the power to execute the Standard Agreement and agreements with subrecipients. The recommended action also designates the Department’s Director as an Authorized Signer for the application and other documents pertaining to the administration of ESG funding. HCD will allocate ESG funds to Continuums of Care every three years; therefore, the recommended resolution covers the full three-year term.
Service providers for eligible activities, prioritized in non-entitlement areas will be procured through County Purchasing requirements and all resulting agreements will be brought to your Board for approval in fiscal year 2025-26.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully