DATE: November 3, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Resolution for Round Two CARES Act Emergency Solutions Grant Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Resolution authorizing the County of Fresno, through the Department of Social Services, to submit an application on behalf of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care for round two of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant funding administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and
2. Approve 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 to submit an application on behalf of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC) for round two of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant -Coronavirus (ESG-CV2) funding administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Vice-Chairman to sign the resolution so the Chairman does not self-certify. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended actions, the FMCoC would forfeit $1,512,000 in ESG-CV2 funding available to assist persons experiencing homelessness in the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. If the recommended resolution is approved, HCD will contract with the County to make $1,512,000 in ESG-CV2 available, with 3% or $45,360 for administrative costs. Funding will be available for use until August 30, 2022. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget and will be included in the FY 2021-22 budget request.
DISCUSSION:
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, which identified additional funding for the ESG Program to support preparation for, and response to, the community impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. HCD previously distributed the ESG-CV1 allocations utilizing a formula-based method to Continuums of Care, including the FMCoC and has now released the Notice of Funding Availability for the second round. The FMCoC has been allocated $1,512,000 of CARES Act ESG-CV2.
On May 12, 2020, your Board adopted Resolution No. 20-175 authorizing the County of Fresno through the Department to serve as the Administrative Entity on behalf of the FMCoC and on October 6, 2020, your Board approved the Vice-Chairman to execute revised Resolution No. 20-318, so the Chairman, as the authorized representative, would not self-certify.
As the AE, the Department will administer ESG-CV funds throughout the FMCoC Service Area with a prioritization to non-entitlement areas. Non-entitlement areas are units of general local government that do not receive funds directly from HUD; within the FMCoC jurisdiction, non-entitlement areas include Madera County, Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, Parlier, Orange Cove, Sanger, and San Joaquin. ESG-CV funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or receiving homelessness assistance; and to support additional homelessness assistance and prevention activities to mitigate the impacts created by the Coronavirus.
Approval of the recommended actions will authorize the Department, on behalf of the County, to submit an application for CARES Act ESG-CV2 on behalf of the FMCoC, allowing additional homeless services to be provided throughout its jurisdiction. CARES Act ESG-CV2 funds are to be utilized to address homelessness and may be used for eligible activities related to crisis response including: Emergency Shelter, Homeless Prevention, Street Outreach, Rapid Rehousing, and Homeless Management Information System expenses. Services utilizing these funds will be procured through County Purchasing requirements and the resulting agreements will be brought to the Board for approval, as appropriate.
Following notification of award, HCD will issue the Standard Agreement for the funds, which will be brought to your Board for approval. The recommended resolution identifies that your Board will maintain the power to execute the Standard Agreement and agreements with subrecipients and designates the Director of the Department of Social Services as an Authorized Signer for documents pertaining to the administration of CARES Act ESG-CV2 funding. Additionally, it will allow the Vice-Chairman to sign the resolution so that the Chairman will not self-certify.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #7.1, October 6, 2020
BAI #39, May 12, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa