DATE: July 10, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the County of Fresno as an approved Emergency Solutions Grant Administrative Entity
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
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 administered by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action is necessary for the County’s participation as the Administrative Entity (AE) in the State’s Allocation of Federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. Approval will allow the Department of Social Services to administer ESG funds to service providers for eligible ESG activities within the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC). Agreements recommended for funding will be brought to your Board at a later date. There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may chose not to approve the resolution and the available funding will be reallocated by the State.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. If approved, the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will contract with the County to make an estimated $590,544 available in ESG funds with up to 2.6% of the grant to be used for administrative costs. Funds from the grant will be available for use for twenty-four (24) months from the date the State receives the funds. Sufficient appropriations will be included in the FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget for the Department of Social Services, Organization 5610.
DISCUSSION:
In early 2015, HCD began exploring a plan to allow for local control of State ESG funds for use within certain Continuum of Care jurisdictions. Through an annual process, the State makes ESG funds available for use throughout the entire service area of the FMCoC, but with a focus on non-entitlement areas. Within Fresno County, non-entitlement areas include Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, Parlier, Orange Cove, Sanger, Mendota, and San Joaquin.
Approval of the recommended action 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 (up to 2.6% of the allocation).
As the Administrative Entity, the Department of Social Services will be responsible for awarding funds to service providers. All allowable activities under Federal ESG regulations are eligible for funding with a minimum of 40% awarded to Rapid Rehousing services.
Should your Board approve the recommended action, HCD will issue an agreement for the funds, which will be brought to your Board at a later date for approval.
Currently, the Department of Social Services has a revenue agreement to receive Federal HUD ESG funding.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander