Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Samaritan House for Emergency Financial Assistance funded with Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funds
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Samaritan House to administer and provide Emergency Financial Assistance funded with Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for the term from the date of execution through May 31, 2022 for a total amount not to exceed $633,962.
body
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) awards Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to local Community Action Agencies to provide services to low-income individuals to reduce poverty. In San Mateo County, the Human Services Agency (HSA) is the Community Action Agency.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is an economic stimulus bill passed in March of 2020 in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. CSBG CARES was developed by CSD to help address community needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges and needs within the community.
CSD allocated $633,962 to San Mateo County in CSBG CARES Act funds to support community needs related to COVID-19.
The Emergency Financial Assistance Program provides financial assistance on behalf of eligible low-income residents who are experiencing challenges with maintaining their housing. The Core Service Agencies utilize funding from a variety of sources to fund the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, including CSBG funds.
The Emergency Financial Assistance Program is administered by Samaritan House in close collaboration with all of the Core Service Agencies. Residents can apply for assistance at any of the Core Service Agencies located throughout the County.
DISCUSSION:
As many residents have experienced losses of income during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is significant need for Emergency Financial Assistance. CSBG CARES Act funds in the amount of $633,962 will be used to administer and provide Emergency Financial Assistance to additional low-income individuals and families.
Under the agreement for which HSA is seeking your Board’s approval, the County will provide the $633,962 in CSBG CARES Act funds to Samaritan House. Samaritan House will collaborate with the Core Service Agencies, evaluate referrals received from the Core Service Agencies to ensure compliance, act as the fiscal agent for financial assistance provided, and issue the emergency financial assistance.
It is estimated that 112 households will receive CSBG CARES Act funded assistance and housing services from Samaritan House per year.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Target |
|
Number of households that receive financial assistance |
112 |
|
Percent of clients that remained housed after 6 months |
65% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total amount of this agreement is $633,962. The term of this agreement is from execution through May 31, 2022. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement, and for the CSBG CARES Act funding that supports it, is included in the FY 2020-21 Revised Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.