Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Homeless Emergency Aid Program declaration of a shelter crisis for the County of San Mateo and acceptance of funds from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The declaration of a shelter crisis of the County of San Mateo, State of California, pursuant to SB 850 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018, and Government Code § 8698.2); and
B) Acceptance of funding from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program up to $4,933,139; and
C) The Director of HSA or designee to execute a contract; and any amendments with the California Business, Consumer, Services and Housing Agency to accept funding of an amount up to $4,933,139 (in aggregate).
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BACKGROUND:
The County of San Mateo Human Services Agency (HSA) serves as the Lead Agency for the San Mateo County Continuum of Care. In July 2016, after input and feedback from community partners, HSA published the Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. HSA and its community partners have implemented a number of strategies to ensure that the homeless crisis resolution system can rapidly connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to shelter and permanent housing.
The County found as a result of the Point-In-Time Count conducted the night of January 25, 2017 that 1,253 persons within the County of San Mateo were experiencing homelessness including 637 without shelter and 616 in temporary shelter programs.
In June 2018, Governor Brown signed into law SB 850, which established the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). HEAP is a one-time funding source for emergency aid intended to address homelessness. The California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) will administer HEAP one-time block grants, which may be used for a variety of homeless services, including prevention, emergency housing, vouchers, diversion, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter capital projects and other homeless services. HEAP funding must be fully spent by June 30, 2021.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is planning to submit an application to BCSH for HEAP funds in the amount of $4,933,139, which is the amount that San Mateo County Continuum of Care is eligible for according to the HEAP formula.
HSA has collaborated with various stakeholders, such as the Continuum of Care Steering Committee and cities, to share information about HEAP and to obtain stakeholder input and collaboration.
Given that HEAP is a one-time funding source, HSA is strategically planning for how to most effectively utilize this funding source within the existing structure of homeless services in the County. HSA is reviewing information about existing homeless services and the Strategic Plan to End Homelessness to identify strategies and programs that could be enhanced with this additional one-time funding resource. In addition, the results of the stakeholder engagement process will help inform funding priorities for HEAP funding, which may include capital projects to make facility improvements at existing homeless shelters and also may include services such as prevention, outreach, housing assistance and other services. For the identified services, providers will be selected via a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
A primary funding requirement of HEAP is that local jurisdictions declare a shelter crisis via resolution. Although shelter is only one of the components of an effective homeless system and there are many other critical services in order to reduce homelessness (such as prevention services, rapid re-housing programs, housing assistance, and other services), the HEAP requirement is for a shelter crisis to be declared.
While not every local jurisdiction within the County must declare a shelter crisis, HEAP funding for site-based services and rental assistance is restricted to jurisdictions where a shelter crisis has been declared. The County’s shelter crisis declaration would enable HEAP to fund service-based programs throughout San Mateo County, as well as site-based services and rental assistance for the unincorporated areas within the County.
The resolution contains the County’s shelter crisis declaration. To expedite the process of receiving these new state funds, HSA is requesting the Board authorize the HSA Director or designee to accept HEAP funds should BCSH approve HSA’s application, and to execute a contract and any amendments with BSCH through FY 2020-21.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
This acceptance of HEAP funding will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by fostering a livable community by enhancing the services available to homeless residents.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a revenue Agreement with the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency to accept up to $4,933,139 in Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant funds. HEAP funding must be fully spent by June 30, 2021. There is no local funding requirement associated with the acceptance of this grant funding.