Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Consider adopting resolution to declare a shelter crisis within unincorporated areas of Monterey County, as required by the Governor and Legislature for local governments seeking an allocation of funding from the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) as part of SB 850 and the 2018-19 Budget Act (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018).
b. Consider authorizing the Departments of Monterey County to collaborate with the Continuum of Care to work with partners to apply and receive funding through HEAP to address urgent homeless needs in Monterey County.
c. Consider authorizing county staff to apply for all available Homeless Emergency Aid Program grant funds for homeless shelter operations and construction, homeless projects, and/or homeless services. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA/ REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider adopting resolution to declare a shelter crisis within unincorporated areas of Monterey County, as required by the Governor and Legislature for local governments seeking an allocation of funding from the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) as part of SB 850 and the 2018-19 Budget Act (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018).
b. Consider authorizing the Departments of Monterey County to collaborate with the Continuum of Care to work with partners to apply and receive funding through HEAP to address urgent homeless needs in Monterey County.
c. Consider authorizing county staff to apply for all available Homeless Emergency Aid Program grant funds for homeless shelter operations and construction, homeless projects, and/or homeless services.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In the County of Monterey, there are increasing numbers of homeless individuals who are identified as homeless, living in their vehicles, on the streets, or other areas not intended for human habitation. The 2017 Monterey County Homeless Census Point-in Time Count found that 419 persons within the unincorporated areas and 2,418 in the incorporated areas of Monterey County are homeless and without stable shelter.
This number of homeless in our community is significant and shows an increase of 23% since the last Point-in-Time count conducted in 2015 and the largest number recorded in the past 10 years. Of the total homeless enumerated, 74% were in unsheltered accommodations such as abandoned buildings, vehicles, encampments, and the street. The inability to obtain shelter results in a threat to the health and safety of such persons and the larger community demonstrated by issues such as a past Hepatitis A outbreak. The health and safety of unsheltered persons in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Monterey County are exacerbated by a lack of shelter options. The County of Monterey has undertaken multiple efforts at the local level to combat homelessness and address shelter shortages including the following actions:
• The county recently approved to a “six month employable” time limit for the General Assistance (GA) population. The California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) mandates each California county to have a General Assistance Program to aid its indigent population not eligible to receive other forms of cash assistance. GA recipients have an increased risk of falling deeper into indigence resulting in homelessness once aid is discontinued;
• On September 19, 2017, the Board of Supervisors authorized a temporary Winter Warming Shelter at 111 West Alisal Street, Salinas which has operated at or near capacity since opening;
• Extending the Winter Warming Shelter in Salinas through October 2018 while planning and development of a permanent, year-round shelter is established.
The California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) recently announce the launch of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). HEAP is a $500 million block grant program designed to provide direct assistance to cities and counties to address the homelessness crisis throughout California. HEAP is authorized by Senate Bill (SB) 850, which was signed into law by Governor Brown in June 2018. Funding estimates based on total homeless enumerated during the 2017 Point-in-Time census indicate the “Salinas/Monterey, San Benito Counties” jurisdiction may be eligible to receive approximately $12 million in HEAP funding. The Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) is expected to be released by the State on September 5, 2018. This will provide up-to-date requirements and application instructions.
HEAP funds are intended to provide funding for immediate emergency assistance to people experiencing homelessness. A shelter crisis declaration is required by the Governor and Legislature for all cities and counties within a Continuum of Care (CoC) that wish to receive HEAP funds based on the 2017 Point-in-Time Count. The declaration is a resolution that must be adopted by the governing body of a jurisdiction or jurisdictions within a CoC.
This scheduled board item noticed under Brown Act rules demonstrates the local collaborative effort required for the HEAP application submission.
If the shelter crisis resolution is adopted, the County of Monterey will work with county departments, local jurisdictions, homeless service providers, and the community to apply for HEAP assistance through the CoC and utilize allocated funding to provide immediate emergency homeless assistance to address and reach the goal of reducing/ending homelessness in Monterey County.
If no shelter crisis is declared, the County of Monterey will be ineligible to receive any HEAP allocation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Administrative Office and County Counsel have been consulted with respect to the proposed program, and has approved the resolution as to form.
FINANCING:
“Salinas/Monterey, San Benito Counties” jurisdiction may be eligible to receive approximately $12 million in HEAP funding. The CoC will submit the HEAP application to California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. Once the Department has been notified of the funding, the Department will return to the Board of Supervisors to make budget modifications to implement this proposal.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This proposed program correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by working towards the goals of improving health and quality of life outcomes to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, MAIII, x3584
Approved by: Henry Espinosa, Acting Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: Resolution_HEAP_Declaration of Shelter Crisis