Title
Receive an update regarding the Homeless Emergency Aid Program adopted as part of the FY 2018-19 State of California Budget and on efforts to relocate the temporary Salinas Shelter.
Presenters: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services and Carl Holm, Director of Resource Management
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
Receive an update regarding the Homeless Emergency Aid Program adopted as part of the FY 2018-19 State of California Budget and on efforts to relocate the temporary Salinas Shelter.
Presenters: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services and Carl Holm, Director of Resource Management
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
1) Homeless Emergency Aid Program - The Homeless Emergency Aid Program was adopted as part of the FY 2018-19 State Budget. Plans and guidance for this one-time funding opportunity are still being developed at the State level, so detailed information is not yet available. However, the following elements of the program are known:
Homeless Emergency Block Grant - $500 Million
• Funding - Homeless Emergency Aid Block Grants. A total of $500 million was established to support local communities in flexibly responding to immediate homeless challenges. There are three pots of funding that will become available - 1) $250 million to Continuums of Care based on 2017 homeless point in time count; 2) $100 million to Continuums of Care based on their percentage of the statewide 2017 homeless population; and, 3) $150 million direct allocation to a city or city that is also a county with a population of 330,000 or more as of January 1, 2018.
The California State Association of Counties estimates that the Monterey/San Benito County Continuum of Care will be $12,505,250 (see attachment 1). This funding from the funding allocated to Continuums of Care based on the 2017 homeless census. Monterey/San Benito Counties will not receive funding from the $150 million direct allocation.
• Requirements - Eligible jurisdictions must have a declared Shelter Crisis. Monterey County adopted a resolution declaring a shelter crisis on December 5, 2017 (see attachment 2). It is not known if San Benito County also declared a shelter crisis, however the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, which will administer funds, states that there will be a waiver process for smaller counties, like San Benito, that do not declare a shelter crisis.
Another requirement is that the Continuum of Care must demonstrate collaboration with other city, county, or nonprofit partners. This should not be an issue locally, as our Continuum of Care, under the auspices of the Lead Me Home Leadership Council, co-chaired by County Supervisors, includes elected officials from multiple cities, and includes partners from the non-profit, faith, and foundation community.
Additionally, entities must use at least 5 percent of their total award to establish or expand services to homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness.
Funding may not be used for overhead costs or planning activities; and there a 5% limit on administrative costs within funded projects.
Entities must report their contract expenditures, the number of persons served, and any progress toward state or local goals to the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency by January 2020.
• Uses - According to the minimal information available from State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency funds can be used for emergency housing vouchers, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter construction, and use of armories to provide temporary shelters, among other activities.
• Timelines - The State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency states that the notice of funding availability for the Homeless Emergency Aid Block Grants will be released later this summer.
The trailer bill compromise indicates that funds would be made available to Continuums of Care by January 31, 2019. For unused funding, entities could apply again to the Continuums of Care for an additional share by April 30, 2019, with awards determined by May 31, 2019. Any left over funding after that would revert back to the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency and then possibly the State General Fund. Additionally, entities must spend 50 percent of the funding by January 1, 2020 and must spend 100 percent of the funding by June 30, 2021.
• Administration of Funds - There is no information on how exactly the funds will be administered - whether they must be directly administered by the Continuum of Care or whether the can be administered by the County in partnership with the Continuum of Care. The latter is option is similar to how the Emergency Solutions Grant program, that is financially managed by the City of Salinas is administered. It is likely that this latter option will be allowable given the variety of Continuum of Care arrangements around the State.
Other Elements of the Homeless Emergency Aid Package
• Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment Program - Per the California State Association of Counties, the budget provides $50 million for a Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment Program that will be allocated to counties by the Department of Health Care Services for multi-disciplinary teams supporting intensive outreach, treatment and other services for homeless persons living with mental illness. Counties would be encouraged to match this one-time funding with local and federal matching funds, where appropriate.
• CalWORKs Housing Support Program - An additional $24.2 million statewide. This funding will be distributed competitively. Given Monterey County’s relatively high current allocation and the fact many counties do not have an allocation, it is unclear how or if this additional funding will allow expansion of the existing CalWORKs Housing Support Program. However, the Department of Social Services will increase its application for funding accordingly.
• CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program - An additional $8.1 million to allow for an increase in the daily rate paid for temporary assistance to families who need to rent a motel/hotel room to bridge the time between loss of housing and identifying a new housing. This CalWORKs cash assistance entitlement that allows homeless families up to 16 days of temporary housing each year for eligible families.
• Senior Home Safe Program - $15 million for this new resource being made available to County Adult Protective Services program to support rapid rehousing services for homeless seniors. There is a 50% local match requirement which the Department of Social Services is exploring options for meeting.
• Domestic Violence Shelter and Services - $10 million for this element of the budget. It is not known how this will be administered.
• Homeless Youth and Exploitation Program - $1 million for this element of the budget. It is not known how this will be administered.
• SB2 Funding - Per the California State Association of Counties, half of the first year SB 2 revenues, estimated to be $62.5 million are allocated to the California Emergency Solutions Grant program that is administered by the City of Salinas in partnership with our local Continuum of Care and $62.5 million to the new Housing for a Healthy California program.
2) Progress towards relocating the Temporary Salinas Warming Shelter to 855 Laurel - The Resource Management Agency is leading the effort to relocate the temporary shelter and will give a report on available options. It is noteworthy that the new funding from the Homeless Emergency Block Grant, which does not become available until after January 31, 2019, is a funding source which may ease the financial burden on local discretionary revenues.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other agency was involved in development of this report.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the County General Fund from this report.
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4430
Attachments: Homeless Emergency Aid Budget Deal CoC Allocations
Resolutions
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board