Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Raymond Hodges, Director of Housing
Subject: Measure K: Climate Resilient Communities Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Housing, or designee, to execute an agreement with Climate Resilient Communities to fund its Resilient Homes Program, for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $495,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by the San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended through November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
In response to Board direction, staff gathered community input regarding priorities for the allocation of Measure K funds. Staff collected feedback from Community Based Organizations, County departments and conducted a countywide survey and listening sessions to obtain resident input. At the October 3, 2023, Measure K study session, staff presented a report produced by InterEthnica, summarizing the results of the surveys, and listening sessions which provided valuable input for the Board.
On October 17, 2023, after considering the County’s needs and community input, this Board finalized and approved the following priority areas for FY 2024-25 Measure K funding: Children, Families, and Seniors; Housing and Homelessness; and Emergency Preparedness. Mental Health is a component of each priority area rather than a stand-alone item. In addition to the approval of the priority areas, this Board authorized the County Executive to develop and proceed with a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process to obtain applications for funding within the approved priority areas and subcategories identified by the Board.
On March 27, 2024, this Board approved recommended applications received pursuant to the NOFO and authorized the County Executive to negotiate agreements with applicants, to be returned to this Board for approval. By this action, the application of Climate Resilient Communities was approved for an award of Measure K funds under the Emergency Preparedness Priority Area. Climate Resilient Communities is an organization dedicated toward addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable under-resourced communities. The organization became a fully independent 501(c)(3) in January 2023 after branching off from Acterra (which is a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to finding local solutions for a healthy planet).
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Housing will be managing the $495,000 in Measure K funding allocated during the Measure K NOFO 2023 to Climate Resilient Communities to fund their Resilient Homes Program. Staff recommends that this Board approve the proposed agreement which will fund Climate Resilient Communities’ efforts to increase climate resilience of low-income housing stock and address other performance measures specified below, at a cost to the County of Four-Hundred Ninety-Five-Thousand and Zero Cents ($495,000), over a three-year term from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
There are five primary outcomes, or performance measures, for this project, which are:
Outcome 1: Increase Climate resilience of low-income housing stock by providing upgrades such as insulation, weatherproofing, HVAC for six (6) low-income households each fiscal year for a total 18 households served.
Outcome 2: Improve housing conditions & safety for low-income owners by remediating critical health/safety housing deficiencies such as lack of smoke detectors or exposed electrical wiring for 12 low-income households each fiscal year for a total 36 households served.
Outcome 3: Preserve Housing Affordability and stability by providing basic home repairs or upgrades for three (8) low-income households per year for a total 24 households served.
Outcome 4: Increase disaster preparedness in frontline communities via disaster preparedness workshops: 4 workshops with a total of 320 attendees per year for a total 12 workshops with 960 participants in total.
Outcome 5: Achieve equitable engagement: two-thirds of participants to be served will be from underserved racial and ethnic groups; at least three (3) homes repaired per year will be located in diverse neighborhoods in unincorporated San Mateo County and efforts will be made to conduct outreach and provide program materials in multiple languages.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the proposed agreement and resolution as to form.
EQUITY IMPACT:
This program, led by Climate Resilient Communities, will positively impact vulnerable under-served communities who are at greater risk than average to the impacts of climate change and housing displacement. Climate Resilient Communities' emergency preparedness workshops and climate resilient / safety home repairs will concentrate on communities of color, non-English speakers, and the elderly.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County’s maximum fiscal obligation under the agreement is not to exceed Four-Hundred Ninety-Five-Thousand and Zero Cents ($495,000) for the 36-month term (3 years) and will be funded through Measure K funds. The funding for this agreement will be transferred from Non-Departmental Services to the Department of Housing in connection with the September Revisions to the Recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25.