DATE: June 20, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Resolutions Authorizing the County of Fresno as an approved Emergency Solutions Grant Administrative Entity
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve a resolution authorizing the County of Fresno, through the Department of Social Services to serve as the Administrative Entity for Emergency Solutions Grant Funding issued by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for 2016 funds.
2. Approve a resolution authorizing the County of Fresno, through the Department of Social Services to serve as the Administrative Entity for Emergency Solutions Grant Funding issued by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for 2017 funds.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions is necessary for the County’s participation as the Administrative Entity (AE) in the State’s Allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. Approval would allow the Department of Social Services to administer State ESG funds to eligible service providers for ESG eligible activities including Rapid Rehousing, Homeless Prevention, Emergency Shelter, Street Outreach, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and Administration. The recommended resolution for 2016 funds will replace the resolution previously adopted by your Board on January 31, 2017. Agreements recommended for funding, will be brought to your Board at a later date. There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the resolutions and the available funding of $1,149,290 will be reallocated by the State.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. If approved, the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will contract with the County to make available $558,746 in State ESG funds for use through June 30, 2018 and $590,544 for use through June 30, 2019. Up to $39,801 of the total may be claimed for administration purposes.
DISCUSSION:
In early 2015, the State HCD began exploring a plan to allow for local control of State ESG funds for use within certain Continuum of Care jurisdictions. State ESG-funded activities may serve the entire service area of the Continuum of Care, including Fresno and Madera Counties and should focus on non-entitlement areas within the service area. Within Fresno County, non-entitlement areas include Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, Parlier, Orange Cove, and San Joaquin.
Approval of the recommendation actions will allow the Department to administer the State ESG funds and will eventually allow additional homeless services to be provided within the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care jurisdiction. State ESG 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.
As the Administrative Entity, the Department of Social Services would be responsible for awarding funds to eligible service providers. All allowable activities under Federal ESG regulations are eligible for funding with a minimum of 40% awarded to Rapid Rehousing services. A maximum of 10% of the funds can be used for Street Outreach or Homeless Prevention activities in conjunction with other core activities including Emergency Shelter and Rapid Rehousing Assistance.
Should your Board approve the recommended actions; the State HCD will issue Agreements for the funds, which will be brought to your Board at a later date for approval.
A previous resolution was approved by your board on January 31, 2017 to authorize the Department to administer 2016 State ESG funds; however, the State HCD requires additional language not included in the previous version. This additional language has been added to comply with the State HCD requirements, specifically, a sentence to indicate that your Board’s Chairman has the authority to execute any subsequent agreements or amendments brought before your Board as a result of the recommended actions.
Currently, the Department of Social Services has a revenue agreement to receive Federal HUD funding. These Federal funds are being used to fund one emergency shelter, two full-time Matcher/Community Coordinator positions, and provide move in costs for Rapid Rehousing.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #46, January 31, 2017
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On File with Clerk - Resolution 2016
On File with Clerk - Resolution 2017
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander