Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Acceptance of Round 6 Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program Funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency or designee, to designate the County of San Mateo as the Administrative Entity of Round 6 Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program funding and execute any agreements, amendments to agreements or other documents with the Department of Housing and Community Development to apply for and accept Round 6 Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program funding for a total amount of up to $5,026,361.32, on behalf of the County of San Mateo and the CA-512 Daly City/San Mateo County Continuum of Care.
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BACKGROUND:
On February 24, 2025, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released the application for a sixth round of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP-6) funding. HHAP-6 is flexible funding that may be used through June 2029 for a variety of homeless services which includes diversion, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent housing, and other services, and which include an accountability and performance framework. HHAP-6 funds will be made available/released to eligible applicants, including Cities, Counties, and Continuums of Care in two phases.
HCD permits jurisdictions to apply jointly for HHAP-6 program funds allocations. The County of San Mateo Human Services Agency (HSA) serves as the Lead Agency for the CA-512 Daly City/San Mateo CoC.
DISCUSSION:
HSA, as the lead CoC agency, began the HHAP-6 application process on behalf of the CoC and on behalf of the County of San Mateo on February 24, 2025. In its application, HSA intends to designate the County as the Administrative Entity and apply jointly for HHAP-6 funding on behalf of both the CoC and the County. The total HHAP6 award is projected not to exceed $5,026,361.32, and the initial disbursement of $2,513,180.66 will be made upon receipt and processing of the signed contract documents by HCD.
In order to expedite access to state funds, HSA is requesting that the Board of Supervisors authorize the HSA Director or designee to submit application materials and execute any agreements, amendments, or other documents with HCD to apply for and accept HHAP-6 funding and including future HHAP-6 funds through FY 2028-29. HSA also requests that the Board authorize the HSA Director or her designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the CoC, which the application requires. It is in the best interest of the County to designate the County as the Administrative Entity of HHAP-6 funds and apply jointly to receive one grant rather than having to apply for and manage two separate HHAP-6 grants/allocations.
Given that HHAP-6 is a one-time funding source, HSA will strategically plan for how to utilize this funding source most effectively within the homeless crisis response system to maximize the impact and most strategically utilize this one-time funding source towards meeting local needs.
Per application requirements, HSA will solicit input from a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to the Department of Housing, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the Lived Experience Advisory Group, and other homelessness services provider agencies, and will incorporate stakeholder feedback into the HHAP-6 application to maximize the funding’s impact.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
According to the 2024 One-Day Count, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latin(e)(a)(o)(x) individuals are significantly overrepresented in San Mateo County’s population experiencing homelessness, with the disparity especially prominent amongst those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The HHAP-6 accountability and performance framework includes system performance measures on racial equity and commits the joint applicants to set ambitious yet achievable racial equity goals and enact strategies that decrease inequities. Examples of strategies HSA described in the application include coordination with the Continuum of Care’s Racial Equity Committee, expanding service availability, and making strategic adjustments to service contracts. Applying for, accepting, and implementing HHAP-6 funds will therefore decrease inequities amongst multiple groups that are disproportionately experiencing homelessness through committing the joint applicants to meet equity accountability measures.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total HHAP-6 allocation amount is for a total amount of up to $5,026,361.32. An initial allocation of up to 50% of the total allocation will be made available FY 2025-26. The remaining funds are anticipated to be received within Fiscal Year 2027-28. HHAP-6 funding is available for use through FY 2028-29. Budgetary appropriation for future agreements will be included in the respective Recommended Budget. This is a revenue agreement and there is no Net County Cost associated with the agreement.