Title
a. Adopt a resolution to authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for the County Administrative Office Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs (IGLA) -Homeless Services (001-1050-CAO004-8054) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,500,000, financed by grant revenues from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (4/5th vote required).
b. Authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee, to execute non-standard service agreements, as necessary, and upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, to effectuate the purchase of modular units to operate a low-barrier non-congregate shelter in Watsonville, California in partnership with Santa Cruz County, in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $7,986,354.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
a. Adopt a resolution to authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for the County Administrative Office Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs (IGLA) -Homeless Services (001-1050-CAO004-8054) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,500,000, financed by grant revenues from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (4/5th vote required).
b. Authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee, to execute non-standard service agreements, as necessary, and upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, to effectuate the purchase of modular units to operate a low-barrier non-congregate shelter in Watsonville, California in partnership with Santa Cruz County, in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $7,986,354.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION
Under the authority of Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 31 of the California Health and Safety
Code (sections 50250 et seq.), the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program was established to increase collaboration between the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (CAL ICH), local jurisdictions, and continuums of care (CoC’s) to accomplish the following:
• Assist local jurisdictions in ensuring the wellness and safety of people experiencing homelessness in encampments, including their immediate physical and mental wellness and safety needs arising from unsheltered homelessness and their longer-term needs addressed through a path to safe and stable housing.
• Provide encampment resolution grants to local jurisdictions and CoCs to support innovative and replicable efforts to resolve critical encampment concerns and to support individuals to access safe and stable housing, using the Housing First approach.
• Encourage a data-informed, coordinated approach to address unsheltered homelessness at encampments by establishing, through the encampment resolution grants, effective, scalable, and replicable demonstration projects.
On February 14, 2023, the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors approved the submission of the ERF proposal in the amount of $7,986,354.26 and authorized the County Administrative Officer or designee to execute necessary documents to accept the funds, if awarded (Attachment A). On June 14, 2023, the County of Monterey was provided notice of the ERF award for the total amount requested and the executed agreement with the State was finalized on August 7, 2023 (Attachment B). The funds were received by the County on September 8, 2023.
In preparation for the receipt of the award, the Counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz partnered on an Encampment Resolution Funding project proposal to serve people living along the Pajaro River. This collaborative proposal includes the development of 34 modular units, dining room, outdoor seating area, offices, showers, and restrooms, 2 years of operations, and 5% administrative costs for the County of Monterey. This project will be located at Westview Presbyterian Church, 118 1st St, Watsonville, CA 95076. The modular units will be purchased by the County of Monterey from Dignity Moves, a private company, and transferred for a nominal fee to the County of Santa Cruz at the conclusion of the grant period in 2026.
Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties will partner to operate the shelter, and contract with a private service provider to operate the facility. Roles and responsibilities of both counties will be substantiated via Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey will enter into an MOU with the County of Santa Cruz to establish and operate a low barrier navigation center program at 118 1st St., Watsonville, CA 95076. Additional collaboration may involve the Pajaro Flood Management Agency, CSUMB’s Community Health Engagement, and the Sheriff’s Office to determine eligibility and process referrals. The office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved this report. On November 29, 2023, the Budget Committee provided it’s support of the recommended actions.
FINANCING
The increase of appropriations by $4,500,000 to the County Administrative Office Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs (IGLA) -Homeless Services (001-1050-CAO004-8054) is fully financed by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (CAL ICH) and will include 5% administrative fees. The remaining grant funds will be fully expended no later than June 30, 2026. Upon conclusion of the Encampment Resolution Funding grant period, the County of Santa Cruz will work with the service provider to identify ongoing sustainable funds. The estimated budget for the ERF award is provided in the estimated cost analysis (Attachment C).
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This initiative correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the
Board of Supervisors by working collaboratively to address and develop a plan for ending homelessness.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Sarah Federico, Management Analyst II, x5341
Approved by: Deborah Paolinelli, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x5309
Attachments:
Resolution
Attachment A - Completed Board Order No. 23-143
Attachment B - Executed Agreement with the State of California
Attachment C - Estimated Cost Analysis