DATE: December 10, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Revenue Agreement with California Department of Housing and Community Development for Emergency Solutions Grant Funds
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a revenue Agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development for Emergency Solutions Grant funds, effective upon execution by the State, through May 12, 2021 ($285,252).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services, on behalf of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC), to receive Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). These funds will be used to support ESG-eligible activities including Rapid Rehousing, Homeless Prevention, Emergency Shelter, Street Outreach, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and Administration. There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the Board elect not to approve the recommended action, the FMCoC would forfeit $285,252 in ESG funding available to provide assistance to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If approved, HCD will provide $285,252 of State ESG which must be expended by May 12, 2021. Up to 2.7% ($8,010) will be available for administration purposes. The dollar-for-dollar required match for these funds will be provided by the subrecipient(s). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department Org 5610 FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2020-21 budget request.
DISCUSSION:
At the request of the FMCoC, the Board approved the Department to serve as the Administrative Entity for ESG funds from HCD on its behalf on July 10, 2018. The FMCoC was allocated $285,252 for which the Department submitted the funding application on September 6, 2018. ESG funds administered by HCD are Federal (ESG) dollars that have been passed down to the states for homeless services. Although administered by HCD, all Federal regulations pertaining to ESG apply.
HCD ESG-funded activities may serve the entire FMCoC service area, but should focus on non-entitlement areas within the service area. Non-entitlement areas include Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, Parlier, Orange Cove, San Joaquin, and Madera County. Funds may be used for five program components: Street Outreach/Emergency Shelter; Homelessness Prevention; Rapid Rehousing Assistance; the Homeless Management Information System; and Administrative Activities (up to 2.7% of the allocation). A minimum of 40% must be awarded to Rapid Rehousing services and a maximum of 10% of the funds may be used for Street Outreach or Homeless Prevention activities, in conjunction with other core activities including Emergency Shelter and Rapid Rehousing Assistance.
There were delays with the HCD contract development process and the Department received the revenue Agreement from HCD on September 12, 2019. Agreement(s) for homeless services funded through this grant will be brought before your Board in early 2020.
Currently, the Department has a revenue agreement to receive ESG from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These Federal funds are being used to fund one emergency shelter, two full-time Matcher/Community Coordinator positions, and Rapid Rehousing financial assistance.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #53 April 23, 2019
BAI #70 July 10, 2018
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with the California Department of HCD
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa