Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Acceptance of funds to expand housing and homelessness assistance through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Director of the Human Services Agency, or designee, to accept funds from the California Department of Social Services, on behalf of the County of San Mateo, in the current allocation amount of $3,975,002, and if available, additional funds beyond current allocation amount, to establish, continue, and expand housing and homelessness assistance through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program; and
B) The Director of the Human Services Agency, or designee, to enter into, execute, and deliver any and all documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate to accept the CalWORKs Housing Support Program award(s) to the County, and all amendments thereto.
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BACKGROUND:
On December 13, 2021, the Director of the Human Services Agency (“HSA”) received notification from the California Department of Social Services of its intent to allocate to the County of San Mateo an award in the amount of $3,975,002 beginning in FY 2021-22 to establish, continue, and expand housing and homelessness assistance through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (“HSP”).
The CalWORKs HSP is intended to foster housing stability for families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in the CalWORKs program. CalWORKs HSP funding must be used to support projects that follow evidence-based housing interventions, including homelessness prevention services and/or the core components of rapid rehousing.
Furthermore, it requires that all state-funded housing programs, including CalWORKs HSP, operate in accordance with the core components of Housing First, which is outlined in CalWORKs HSP award documents received by HSA (collectively, “CalWORKs HSP Award Documents”).
DISCUSSION:
Any county wishing to accept all or a portion of the FY 2021-22 amount allocated to that county must review, sign, and return the director’s certification by January 25, 2022 in order to receive funds as instructed by CalWORKs HSP Award Documents.
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the Director of HSA, or designee, to accept CalWORKs HSP award(s) on behalf of the County of San Mateo in accordance with the CalWORKs HSP Award Documents, other applicable rules and laws, and any and all CalWORKs HSP requirements.
By accepting these funds, the County agrees to operate an HSP consistent with relevant laws, regulations, program guidance, and evidence-based practices. Conditions are detailed in the CalWORKs HSP Award Documents.
In previous fiscal years, CalWORKs HSP primarily served families experiencing literal homelessness. With the FY 2021-22 expansion of eligibility and funding, counties may now expand CalWORKs HSP services to include homelessness prevention for those at-risk of homelessness.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The CalWORKs HSP award is revenue in the amount of $3,975,002 of which $2.5 million is able to be spent through 6/30/23, with the remaining $1.4 million able to be spent through 6/20/24. HSA claims expenses though the County Expense Claim (CEC), and gets reimbursed through an electronic transfer of funds, equal to what was claimed. The grant releases funds based on expenditures claimed in CEC and is reimbursement based, on a quarterly payment cycle.