Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the County Administrative Office Homeless Services Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget (001-1050-CAO004-8598) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,726,964 financed by grant revenues from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (4/5th vote required); and
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 create and provide interim housing solutions with supportive services in the City of Soledad in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $4,726,964.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the County Administrative Office Homeless Services Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget (001-1050-CAO004-8598) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,726,964 financed by grant revenues from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (4/5th vote required); and
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 create and provide interim housing solutions with supportive services in the City of Soledad in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $4,726,964.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County Administrative Office Homeless Services Program (CAOHS) requests the Board of Supervisors (BOS) approval to amend its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations and estimated revenues by $4,726,964 financed by a grant award from the State of California’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) and to authorize the CAO or designee to execute non-standard service agreements as necessary and upon approval to use the grant award for the creation of an interim housing solution with supportive services located in the City of Soledad (Soledad) in an amount not to exceed the grant award of $4,726,964.
The State of California (State) announced Encampment Resolution Funding Round 3 (ERF3-R) availability in March 2023 authorized through Senate Bill 197 (Chapter 70, Statutes of 2022), and enacted under Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 31 of the California Health and Safety Code (sections 50250 et seq.) to increase collaboration between Cal ICH, local jurisdictions, and continuums of care (CoC’s) for local solutions that will ensure the safety and wellness of people experiencing homelessness by resolving critical encampment concerns through transitioning individuals into safe and stable housing using a data-informed, coordinated approach.
On January 30, 2024, CAOHS received BOS approval to apply for ERF3-R to address the chronically homeless occupants living along the Salinas River embankments, located in unincorporated areas that overlap the Soledad, public and private lands. This collaborative project in Soledad will provide interim shelter for occupants of these encampments that is home to an estimated 40+ occupants.
On April 18, 2024, CAOHS received a notification of intent by Cal ICH to award $4,726,964 for the implementation of our proposed ERF3 project plan staff submitted on January 31, 2024. The award letter also indicated there will be a delay of receipt of the State’s standard grant term agreement required to receive the funds until July 2024. As a result, the State has given the County permission to begin expending eligible costs as of the date of the award letter for the approved ERF3 project plan.
Per the State approved ERF3 project plan, CAOHS intends to provide half of the award through an agreement with the City of Soledad to fund street outreach to engage and support encampment residents with service connections, 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. Additional remaining ERF3-R will provide fiscal support to the selected services provider, to our local Continuum of Care for their systems support for required data tracking and 5% for County administrative costs to be fully expended through the end of the grant term of June 30, 2027.
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. On June 26, 2024, the Budget Committee provided its support of the recommended actions.
FINANCING:
This action does not impact the General Fund. The increase of appropriations by $4,726,964 to Budget Unit 8598- 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 Management Analyst II, ext. 5341
Reviewed by: Roxanne Wilson, County Homeless Services, Director, ext. 5445
Approved by: Deborah Paolinelli, Assistant County Administrative Officer, ext. 5309
Attachments:
Resolution
Attachment A -Award Letter
Attachment B -Notice of Intent
Attachment C -Soledad ERF3 Project Plan
Attachment D -Soledad ERF3 Encampment Site Map
Attachment E -Soledad ERF3 Award Budget