Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Acceptance of Round 4 Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program Funding from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency
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 4 Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program funding and execute any agreements, amendments to agreements or other documents with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency to apply for and accept Round 4 Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program funding for a total amount of up to $4,658,200.66, plus future Round 4 funding, 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 11, 2020 by Resolution No. 077226, the County applied for and accepted funding on behalf of the County and the CA-512 Daly City/San Mateo County Continuum of Care (CoC), from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BSCH) for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant. HHAP was established as a one-time grant to provide local jurisdictions with funds to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address their immediate homelessness challenges.
On January 12, 2021 by Resolution No. 077954, the County applied for and accepted HHAP round 2 funding (HHAP-2) from BSCH. HHAP-2 was established to provide support to local jurisdictions to continue to build on regional collaboration developed through previous rounds funding and to develop a unified regional response to homelessness.
On October 5, 2021, by Resolution No. 078474, the County applied for and accepted HHAP round 3 funding (HHAP-3) from BSCH.
In July 2021, the BSCH announced a fourth round of HHAP (HHAP-4) funding will be released September 2022. HHAP-4 is flexible funding that may be used through June 2027 for a variety of homeless services which includes diversion, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent housing, and other homeless services, and will include an accountability and performance framework. HHAP-4 funds will be made available/released to eligible applicants, including Counties and Continuum of Care in 2 phases.
Phase 1 is initial disbursement, which makes available up to 50% of funds after the Contract for Funds is fully executed. In phase 2, the remainder of HHAP-4 base allocation funds will be disbursed upon demonstration that no less than 75% has been obligated and no less than 50% of disbursement has been spent by May 31, 2025.
BCSH permits jurisdictions to apply jointly for HHAP-4 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, completed the HHAP-4 application process on behalf of the CoC and on behalf of the County of San Mateo on November 29, 2022. At the time of submission, HSA designated the County as the Administrative Entity and indicated its intent to apply jointly for HHAP-4 funding on behalf of both the CoC and the County. On March 30, 2023 the application was approved and awarded in the amount of $4,658,200.66. The initial disbursement of $2,329,100.33 will be made upon receipt and processing of the signed contract documents.
In order to expedite the administration of funding, 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 BSCH to apply for and accept HHAP-4 funding and including future HHAP-4 funds through FY 2026-27. It is in the best interest of the County to designate the County as the Administrative Entity of HHAP-4 funds and apply jointly to receive one grant rather than having to apply for and manage two separate HHAP-4 grants/allocations.
Given that HHAP-4 is a one-time funding source, and that the State is also planning to issue another one-time HHAP grant (Round 5), 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.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
There are no performance measures with this item.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total HHAP-4 allocation amount is for a total amount of up to $4,658,200.66. An initial allocation of up to 50% of the total allocation will be made available FY 2022-23. The remaining funds are anticipated to be received within Fiscal Year 2025-26. HHAP-4 funding is available for use through FY 2026-27. These funds will be held in trust by the County until they are utilized. Budgetary appropriation to authorize the use of these funds will be included in the budget years that will be affected. There is no Net County Cost.