Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program acceptance and redirection of funds from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) Acceptance of funding from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program up to $1,661,642.80 for the County of San Mateo; and
B) Acceptance of funding from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program up to $1,781,143.93 for the San Mateo County Continuum of Care; and
C) Redirection of Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program funds in the amount of $1,781,143.93 from the San Mateo County Continuum of Care to the County of San Mateo; and
D) The Director of Human Services Agency or designee to execute a contract and any amendments with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency in an amount up to $3,442,786.73 (in aggregate) through FY 2024-25.
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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 (CoC). In July 2016, after soliciting and receiving input and feedback from community partners, HSA published the Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. HSA and its community partners have implemented various 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 31, 2019, that 1,512 persons within the County of San Mateo were experiencing homelessness including 901 without shelter and 611 in temporary shelter programs.
In July 2019, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 101, which established the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP). HHAP is a one-time funding source designed to support local coordination and expand local capacity to address immediate homeless challenges. The California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) will administer HHAP one-time block grants, which may be used for a variety of homeless services, including prevention, outreach, rental subsidies, rapid re-housing, permanent housing, landlord incentives and other homeless services. HHAP funding must be fully spent by June 30, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is planning to submit an application to BCSH for HHAP funds in the amount of $3,442,786.73, which is the total amount in aggregate for which the County of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Continuum of Care are eligible.
Given that HHAP is a one-time funding source, HSA is strategically planning to effectively utilize this funding source within the existing structure of homeless services in the County. HSA is reviewing information about emerging needs, 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.
One-time HHAP funds are available to eligible applicants, which include large cities, Counties, and Continuums of Care (CoC). The County of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Continuum of Care are both eligible applicants for HHAP funds. BCSH permits jurisdictions to redirect their HHAP program funds allocation to their partnering CoC, large city, or County. HSA is the Lead Agency for the San Mateo County CoC. It is recommended that the HHAP program funds designated to the San Mateo County CoC in the amount of $1,781,143.93 be combined with the County of San Mateo’s HHAP allocation for a total County allocation of $3,442,786.73. This redirection of funds will allow the Human Services Agency to submit one HHAP funding application on behalf of the County, as opposed to submitting two separate applications and managing two separate grants from BCSH.
To expedite the process of receiving these new state funds as well as effectively monitor the grant from BCSH, HSA is requesting that the Board of Supervisors authorize the HSA Director or designee to accept HHAP funds should BCSH approve HSA’s application, and to execute a contract and any amendments with BSCH through FY 2024-25
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a revenue Agreement with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program to accept up to $3,442,786.73, in aggregate for the County of San Mateo. HHAP funding must be fully spent by June 30, 2025. There is no local funding requirement associated with the acceptance of this grant funding.