Title
a. Support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,726,963.50 to County Administrative Office Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs (IGLA) -Homeless Services budget (001-1050-CAO004-8054), financed by a grant award from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness; and
b. Support authorizing the County Administrative Officer or designee, to execute non-standard agreements, as necessary, in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, to create and provide interim housing solutions with supportive services in the City of Soledad in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $4,726,963.50.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee:
a. Support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,726,963.50 to County Administrative Office Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs (IGLA) -Homeless Services budget (001-1050-CAO004-8054), financed by a grant award from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness; and
b. Support authorizing the County Administrative Officer or designee, to execute non-standard agreements, as necessary, in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and upon approval by the Board of Supervisors, to create and provide interim housing solutions with supportive services in the City of Soledad in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $4,726,963.50.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In March 2023, Encampment Resolution Funding Round 3 (ERF3-R) was authorized through Senate Bill (SB) 197 (Chapter 70, Statutes of 2022), and enacted under Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 31 of the California Health and Safety Code (HSC) (sections 50250 et seq.), 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 safety and wellness of people experiencing homelessness in encampments.
• Provide grants to Local Jurisdictions and CoCs to resolve critical encampment concerns and transition individuals into safe and stable housing.
• Encourage a data-informed, coordinated approach to address encampment concerns.
On January 30, 2024, the Board of Supervisor’s (BOS) approved the County Administrative Office of Homeless Services’ (CAOHS) request to apply for an ERF3-R grant, in partnership with the City of Soledad (City), in the amount of $4,726,963.50, to address the chronically homeless occupants living along the Salinas River embankments, located in unincorporated areas that overlaps the City, public and private lands. This collaborative project will provide interim shelter for occupants of these encampments along the Salinas Riverbed in southern Monterey County, that is home to an estimated 40 occupants.
On April 18, 2024, CAOHS staff received a notice of award/intent from Cal ICH for the ERF3-R grant for the full amount. The notice also informed CAOHS staff there will be a delay of the execution of the Standard Agreement required to receive the funds until July 2024, and as a result grantees are permitted to begin expending eligible costs as of the date of the award letter for the approved ERF3 project plan. Therefore, in preparation for use of these funds, CAOHS staff recommends the Budget Committee’s support authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend our FY 2024-25 budget and increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,726,963.50, for the Cal ICH approved ERF3 project in the City.
Per the approved ERF3 project plan, most of the grant will fund street outreach to engage and support encampment residents with service connections, and interim supportive housing through motel vouchers and the creation of 12 units of non-congregate interim housing in mobile homes on a City-owned site to be operated by a non-profit partner through an RFP process. Additional funding will provide fiscal support to our local CoC for their systems support of the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) for required data tracking and reporting requirements. The remaining 5% of the grant award will be used for CAOHS staff grant administration and project management through the end of the grant term of June 30, 2027.
In anticipation of the timelines to ensure the proposed interim shelter is available to encampment occupants by the second quarter of FY 2024-2025, CAOHS staff also request Budget Committee support to authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee, to execute non-standard agreements, as necessary, and only upon approval by the BOS, to provide ERF3-R funding in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $4,726,963.50.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City of Soledad and the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers (CoC) are working with the County Administrative Office Homeless Services Program for the implementation of this ERF3-R Soledad project.
FINANCING:
This action does not impact the General Fund. The increase of appropriations by $4,726,963.50 to Budget Unit 8054- FUND 001- Appropriation Unit CAO004 (HOMELESS) is fully financed by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness and will include 5% administrative fees. It is anticipated this program will end upon the conclusion of the Encampment Resolution Funding grant period (June 30, 2027).
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, County Homeless Services MAII, ext. 5341
Approved by: Deborah Paolinelli, Assistant County Administrative Officer, ext. 5309
Attachments:
Attachment A - Completed Board Order No. 24-055
Attachment B - ERF3 Soledad Project Plan and Application
Attachment C - ERF3 Soledad Encampment Site Map
Attachment D - ERF3 Soledad Award Budget
Attachment E - ERF-3-R Award Letter
Attachment F - ERF-3-R Notice of Intent