DATE: July 8, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Resolution Approving Application for Emergency Solution Grants Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Resolution approving the County of Fresno, through the Department, on behalf of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, to apply for Emergency Solutions Grants funding administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and
2. Approve and authorize the Vice Chairman to execute the Resolution as required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services (Department), 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) and will allow the Vice Chairman to execute the resolution so that the Chairman does not self-certify. The recommended resolution will replace the resolution previously adopted by your Board on March 11, 2025. This item is countywide and includes Madera County.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended actions, the FMCoC would forfeit $1,257,764 in ESG funding available to assist persons experiencing homelessness across Fresno and Madera counties.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. 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 for homeless services, 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 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
HCD 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 State 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.
On March 11, 2025, your Board authorized an identical resolution authorizing the Department to apply for the 2024 HCD ESG funds. However, HCD rejected the resolution, as the Board Chairman, listed as the Authorized Signer of the Standard Agreement in the resolution, cannot be the same individual who signs the resolution. Approval of the recommended actions will authorize the Department, on behalf of the FMCoC, to apply for funds, allowing additional homeless services to be provided throughout its jurisdiction and allow the Vice Chairman to sign the resolution.
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.
Upon receipt of the updated resolution, HCD will finalize review of the funding application, submitted in March of this year and issue the Standard Agreement, which will be brought to your Board for approval. 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 FY 2025-26.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #48, March 11, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully