Title
Receive a status of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) (REMOVED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a report on the status of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP)
SUMMARY:
The Leadership Council, which serves as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Board for the Salinas/Monterey and San Benito County CoC, CA, will accept applications for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant funding. HEAP is a State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency block grant program authorized by Senate Bill (SB) 850, signed into law by Governor Brown in June 2018. HEAP is designed to provide immediate and direct assistance to those impacted by the homeless crisis in Monterey or San Benito Counties. HEAP funding is intended to provide funding to deliver immediate assistance to homeless persons within the CoC. The HEAP statute mandates that 50 percent of the awarded funds must be contractually obligated by January 1, 2020. Additionally, 100 percent of the funds must be expended by June 30, 2021.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: expansion of homeless bed inventory through new emergency shelters, warming shelters, transitional or other housing; operating and/or supportive services for new homeless beds; rental assistance, rapid rehousing, eviction prevention and/or move-in assistance; street outreach programs, health and safety education services and criminal justice diversion programs; housing navigation, landlord mitigation programs, targeted case management and other related activities.
The County of Monterey and the following jurisdictions have declared a Shelter Crisis: Marina, Monterey, Salinas, Hollister, King City, Monterey County, San Juan Bautista, Sand City, San Benito County, and Seaside. The shelter crisis declaration pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 8698) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code is required for all cities and counties that wish to have HEAP capital projects (construction, rehab, acquisition projects funded in their jurisdiction or unincorporated area.
Available funds include the following:
Amount Percent
$1,000,889 Service Related Projects (10% of available funding)
$1,000,889 Rental Assistance/Subsidies/Rapid-Rehousing Projects
(10% of available funding)
$6,505,778 Capital Projects (65% of available funding)
$1,000,889 Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (10% of available funding).
$ 500,444 Category 3 Homeless Youth (maximum of 5% of available
funding).
$10,008,889 Total Funds Available for Monterey County Projects
The Project Applications are due to the CoC on April 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
DISCUSSION:
Monterey County Housing and Social Services staff are working on a HEAP application with the City of Salinas to construct a year-round shelter located at 855 East Laurel Drive. This shelter would be operated year-round with wrap-around services and a rapid rehousing focus. The City of Salinas and Monterey County entered into an MOU in October 2019 establishing the roles and responsibilities for the development and operation of a new homeless shelter at 855 East Laurel Drive; the development of permanent supportive housing at 1220 Natividad Road; and the continued operations of a temporary warming shelter at 111 West Alisal Street until the new shelter can be occupied.
The City of Seaside Council expressed interest in HEAP funding and the intent to host a shelter located in a County building located in the City of Seaside at 1292 Olympia Avenue.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City of Salinas entered into an MOU with the County to build a shelter and RFP for an operator while the shelter is under construction.
The Seaside City Council stated in a special Council meeting on February 27th, that the City did not have the funding to build or operate a shelter, but was willing to allow the proposed operator, Community Human Services (CHS), to find funding for the shelter through philanthropic contributions. Both the City Council and CHS also expressed the expectation that the County of Monterey would provide one-third of the funding to operate the shelter. The rehabilitation of the building could be paid through the HEAP funds.
Community Human Services is planning on submitting an application to the CoC to cover the renovation costs and initial operating costs for the Seaside shelter.
FINANCING:
The City of Salinas and County agreed to share 50/50 in the operating costs of the shelter at 855 East Laurel. The shelter, if built with HEAP funds, would be deed restricted to operate for a 10-year period. Operational costs for the County commitment of 50 percent would most likely come from the County General Fund.
The Seaside shelter renovation of the building at 1292 Broadway is proposed to be funded with HEAP funds. The shelter, if built with HEAP funds, would be deed restricted to operate for a 10-year period. Operational costs, proposed by CHS of one-third of the cost, would most likely come from the County General Fund.
The County will submit a HEAP application for the operational costs for the existing emergency, warming shelter located at 111 West Alisal St. Should the application for shelter operations not receive funding, General Funds will be requested for the County’s share in operations.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The County’s support of the Salinas and Seaside shelters would advance the County’s Health and Human Services strategic initiatives by improving the health and quality of life those who need the shelter and related services. The Strategic Initiative of public safety will be met by creating a safe environment for people to achieve their potential.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: _____________________________________________________________
Anastacia Wyatt, Housing Program Manager, Ext. 5387
Approved by: _____________________________________________________________
Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer, Ext. 5145
Attachments:
Board Report