DATE: December 14, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Maria I. Aguirre, Interim Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Transitional Housing Program and Housing Navigators Program Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Resolution authorizing (a) the Department of Social Services application for and acceptance of the Round Three allocation in the amount of $144,290 for the Housing Navigators Program, administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and (b) the Director of the Department of Social Services, or designee, to execute grant related documents, including the Allocation Acceptance Form; and,
2. Adopt Resolution authorizing (a) the Department of Social Services application for and acceptance of the Round Two allocation in the amount of $116,000 for the Transitional Housing Program, administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and (b) the Director of the Department of Social Services, or designee, to execute grant related documents, including the Allocation Acceptance Form.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services to complete the allocation acceptance processes with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to receive allocations for the two programs designed to assist youth, ages 18-21 and 18-25, respectively, to secure and maintain housing. The Department Director, or designee, will be authorized to execute allocation-related documents, including the Allocation Acceptance Forms. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose not to approve one or both recommend actions; however, the Department will not receive the allocations earmarked for the County to assist with housing services and funding will be redirected to other counties in California.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. If the recommended actions are approved, the Department will complete the allocation acceptance processes to receive $144,290 for the Housing Navigators Program (HNP), and $116,000 for the Transitional Housing Program (THP). Funding for the HNP and THP will be available through June 30, 2024. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
HCD has allocated both HNP and THP grant funding to assist young adults obtain and maintain housing, with priority given to young adults formerly in the foster care or probation systems. HNP resources provide case management services through Housing Navigators to secure and maintain housing and make linkages to key resources in the community. THP provides direct financial assistance for expenses such as security deposit, rent, utilities, and other eligible costs. THP and HNP Resolution Nos. 20-103, 20-104 and 20-344 were unanimously approved by your Board on March 24, 2020 and November 3, 2020. The proposed grant funds for both HNP and THP must be spent by June 30, 2024.
The Department is using existing THP and HNP grant funding to support a pilot program with the Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission, in partnership with Housing Opportunities Promote Education (HOPE) at Fresno City College. A total of 26 students have benefitted from housing navigation services and financial assistance since the pilot began on July 13, 2021. Nearly 40% of those students were formerly in the foster care system. Students in the program are expected to successfully complete their coursework, participate in a financial literacy program, increase their income through employment and social service benefits, and pay an increasing share of their housing costs throughout their time in the program.
With your Board’s approval of the recommended resolutions, the Department will complete the Round 3 application for THP funding and Round 2 application for HNP funding. After approval by HCD, the Department intends to continue the current pilot program and integrate the THP and HNP funds with the services currently provided to young adults. While the Department Director, or his designee, will be authorized to execute allocation-related documents, including the allocation Acceptance Form, the Standard Agreement will be brought to your Board for approval.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #57, July 13, 2021
BAI #42, November 3, 2020
BAI #54, March 24, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolutions (2)
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa