Title
Adopt resolution increasing appropriations and estimated revenues for the Department of Social Services ($378,000) to provide rental assistance for low-income households impacted by the recent weather disaster events; authorize the Department to contract with Catholic Charities ($198,000) and amend United Way of Monterey County Agreement to increase the maximum by $180,000; receive update regarding the COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program and either: b. extend COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program and reassign a portion to augment the program for low-income households impacted by the recent weather disaster events; adopt resolution increasing appropriations for the Department of Emergency Management ($100,000) and authorize the Department to retroactively execute amendment to Agreement with Ventures in the same amount to continue funeral and burial assistance for undocumented immigrants through October 31, 2023; and, adopt resolution increasing appropriations for the Department of Social Services ($250,000) and authorize the department to return with amendments to increase the contract maximum with Catholic Charities by $125,000 and United Way of Monterey County by $125,000; OR, a. reassign unexpended funds to meet needs of low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo; adopt resolution increasing appropriations and estimated revenues for the Department of Social Services in the amount of $350,000; and, authorize the department to return with amendments to increase the new contract with Catholic Charities by $175,000 and United Way of Monterey County by $175,000. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Revise Board Referral No. 2023.04 (Alejo) Storm Recovery Rent-Subsidy Program for Farmworkers to “Storm Recovery Subsidy Program for Low-Income Households” impacted by the recent weather disaster events in the amount of $378,000; and, if revised:
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Social Services Community Program (001-5010-SOC004-8258) FY 2022-223 Adopted Budget increasing appropriations by $378,000 financed by a decrease in appropriations from General Fund contingencies (001-CAO020-8034) (4/5 vote); and,
2. Authorize the Department of Social Services Director or Assistant Director to negotiate and execute:
i. Contract with Catholic Charities for $198,000 to provide rental assistance for low-income households impacted by the recent weather disaster events, for the period upon execution through June 30, 2023; and,
ii. Contract Amendment #5 with the United Way of Monterey County to provide rental assistance for low-income households impacted by the recent weather disaster events adding $180,000 for an amended contract total of $52,599,682.
b. Receive a verbal update regarding Board Referral No. 2021.04 (Alejo/Lopez) COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program ($350,000) for undocumented immigrants who did not qualify for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program; the program ended on December 31, 2022, with no funds expended; and, either:
OPTION 1:
1. As proposed in Board Referral No. 2023.08 (Alejo) Monterey County COVID Funeral & Burial Assistance Program Extension, retain a portion ($100,000) of the revenue set aside for Board Referral No. 2021.04 (Alejo/Lopez) COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program and reassign the remaining portion ($250,000) to augment the Storm Recovery Subsidy Program for Low-Income Households impacted by the recent weather disaster events;
2. Adopt a Resolution increasing FY 2022-23 appropriations and estimated revenues for Department of Emergency Management in the amount of $100,000 to continue the COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program for undocumented immigrants who did not qualify for the FEMA (4/5 vote);
3. Authorize the Department of Emergency Management Director to retroactively execute a Contract Amendment with Ventures, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in the amount of $100,000 to continue the COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program for undocumented immigrants who did not qualify for the FEMA through October 31, 2023;
4. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Social Services Community Program (001-5010-SOC004-8258) FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations in the amount of $250,000 funded by a transfer of appropriations from the Department of Emergency Management FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget (001-CAO005-8541) for the Storm Recovery Subsidy Program for Low Income Households impacted by the recent weather disaster events (4/5th vote); and,
5. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to:
a. Return with an amendment to add $125,000 to the new Agreement with Catholic Charities for a rental assistance program for low-income households in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo who did not qualify for the FEMA program for the period upon execution through June 30, 2023, the contract maximum would increase to $323,000; and,
b. Add $125,000 to Contract Amendment #5 with the United Way of Monterey County to provide a rental assistance program for low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo who did not qualify for the FEMA program, for an amended total of $52,724,682.
OR
OPTION 2:
1. As proposed in Board Referral No. 2023.07 (Church) Reallocation of Monterey County Funeral and Burial Assistance Program Funds, reassign the unexpended revenue set aside for Board Referral No. 2021.04 (Alejo/Lopez) COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program to meet the needs of low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo who did not qualify for the FEMA program;
2. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Auditor-Controller to amend the Social Services Community Program (001-5010-SOC004-8258) FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget increasing appropriations in the amount of $350,000 funded by a transfer of appropriations from the Department of Emergency Management FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget (001-CAO005-8541) for the low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo (4/5 vote); and,
3. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to:
a. Return with an amendment to add $175,000 to the new Agreement with Catholic Charities for the general assistance program for low-income households in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo who did not qualify for the FEMA program for the period upon execution through June 30, 2023, the contract maximum would increase to $373,000; and,
b. Add $175,000 to Contract Amendment #5 with the United Way of Monterey County to provide general assistance for low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo who did not qualify for the FEMA program, for an amended total of $52,954,682.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On April 17, 2023, the Board of Supervisors requested that Board Referral No. 2021.04 (Alejo) Storm Rent Subsidy Program for Farmworkers be brought before the Board with three other referrals for comprehensive consideration. The added Board Referrals are Nos. 2021.04 (Alejo/Lopez) COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program; 2023.07 (Church) Reallocation of Monterey County Funeral and Burial Assistance Program Funds, and 2023.08 (Alejo) Monterey County COVID Funeral & Burial Assistance Program Extension.
Board Referral No. 2023.04 Storm Recovery Rent Subsidy Program for Farmworkers
In February 2023, this referral sought to establish a pilot Rent Subsidy Program for farmworkers negatively impacted by the January 2023 storms. However, in March 2023 following the flood and storm impacts in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo, many more low-income individuals had disruptions in their employment and ability to generate income for their households. In April 2023, Individual Assistance (IA) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was made available to eligible residents. FEMA benefits include rental and housing assistance, which would include one to two months of rental funds up to Fair Market Rate, or approximately $2,500.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) contracts with local Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to administer their Disaster Case Management program and Rapid Response Fund program, Catholic Charities is one of the CBOs that will receive funds through this program. While the exact amount of assistance benefit has not been set, it is expected to cap at $2,500 per award, and can be used for housing stability.
Due to the significant state and federal financial assistance to be available, and the need for local CBOs to focus on getting this assistance to people and families in need, the Storm Recovery Rent Subsidy Program for Farmworkers as presented in March 2023 no longer maintained its initial relevancy. Therefore, on April 17, 2023, the County Administrative Officer and Department of Social Services, in coordination with the referral’s author, recommended that rental assistance be made available to low-income households impacted by the weather disaster events.
Recommended Action No. 1:
Approval of the recommended action would revise the Storm Recovery Rent Subsidy Program for Farmworkers to update the program to provide rental assistance for low-income households impacted by the winter storms and atmospheric river events. In addition, approval would adopt a resolution to make the funding available through a new agreement with Catholic Charities ($198,000) and an amendment to an existing Agreement with the United Way ($180,000). Each eligible household would receive between $800 to $1,200 for two months or a total of $2,400.
Board Referral Nos. 2021-04 (Alejo/Lopez) COVID Funeral and Burial Assistance Program; 2023.07 (Church) Reallocation of Monterey County Funeral and Burial Assistance Program Funds, and 2023.08 (Alejo) Monterey County COVID Funeral & Burial Assistance Program Extension
In February 2021, Supervisors Alejo and Lopez submitted a referral to create a program to assist eligible and low-income families with funeral and burial expenses of deceased Monterey County residents due to the COVID pandemic.
In July 2021, the Board approved a Standard Agreement with Ventures, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, for a total not to exceed the amount of $350,000, with a maximum allowable administrative indirect cost of $18,000. The term was retroactive to January 20, 2020 and expired on December 31, 2022. The agreement provided administrative work and pass-through payments for the Monterey County Funeral and Burial Assistance Program, which was to assist undocumented low-income families with funeral and burial expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The then-Monterey County Office of Emergency Services (OES) was to oversee funeral assistance payment approvals for the term of the agreement.
With the expiration of the agreement in December 2022, it was determined that the allocated funds were not expended. In early April 2023, two referrals were submitted to review the unexpended funds. The first referral from Supervisor Church sought to reallocate the funds to meet the needs of low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo, which had been impacted by the winter storms and atmospheric river events. The second referral from Supervisor Alejo sought to extend a portion of the funding to continue the funeral and burial program and use the balance to augment the Storm Recovery Subsidy Program for Low-Income Households impacted by the recent weather disaster events.
Recommended Action No. 2:
Approval of the recommended action would provide a verbal update from the Department of Emergency Management (formerly Monterey County OES) regarding the Funeral and Burial Assistance Program.
The Board will then need to determine whether to reallocate the entirety of the unexpended funds to meet the needs of low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo who did not qualify for the FEMA program, which would require an amendment to the new agreement with Catholic Charities and revise the amount to amend the agreement with United Way.
Alternatively, the Board can choose to leave a portion of the funds to continue the Funeral and Burial Assistance Program while reallocating the balance to the Storm Recovery Subsidy Program for Low-Income Households impacted by the recent weather disaster events, which would require a retroactive amendment of the Agreement with Venture, an amendment to the new agreement with Catholic Charities, and a revised amount to amend the agreement with United Way.
Other potential sources of funding such as the Community Foundation could be invited to contribute to the Rental Assistance gap funds directly through the United Way of Monterey County to serve additional households.
FINANCING:
Approval of the recommended actions will be funded with Contingency Funds and reassigned ARPA funds that were previously assigned to the Funeral Assistance Program.
The first recommended action will result in an increase of appropriations in the amount of $378,000 in the Social Services Community Programs 001-5010-SOC004 FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget, financed by an authorized one-time release from the contingency fund 001-1050-CAO020. Approval of these actions will leave a balance of $125,926 in the Contingency Fund.
The second recommended action will either result in:
• An increase in appropriations in the amount of $350,000 by reassigning $350,000 for the County Funeral Assistance Program to provide a general assistance program for the low-income people in the communities of Pájaro and San Ardo for Social Services Community Program Fund 001-5010-SOC004-8258.
OR,
• An increase in appropriations in the amount of $100,000 by reassigned $100,000 in ARPA for the County Funeral Assistance Program for Department of Emergency Management FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget (001-CAO005-8541) and an increase in appropriations in the amount of $250,000 by reassigning $250,000 in ARPA for the County Funeral Assistance Program to Social Services Community Program Fund 001 5010 SOC004 8258 to provide a general assistance program for low-income persons negatively impacted by the recent weather disaster events.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This general assistance program fulfills the Strategic Initiative in the policy area of Health and Human Services by improving the quality of life for low-income persons in Pajero and San Ardo impacted by the recent disaster. This program further addresses the Key Objective of developing a strategy for a social service that will enhance the quality of life for low-income households and maintain economic viability of the area.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Roderick Franks, DSS Assistant Director x4435
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, DSS Director, x4430
Sonia M. De La Rosa, County Administrative Officer
Attachment: Resolutions (2)