Title
a. Receive a presentation on the implementation of referral 2020.23 titled, Monterey County Emergency Renters Relief Program assigned on 8/18/20;
b. Ratify the execution by the County Administrator Officer’s approval of agreement with United Way Monterey County, signed on September 21, 2020 for $1,250,000 to establish, administer, and fund a Monterey County Emergency Rent & Utility Relief Program (MCERURP) to assist low-income families adversely impacted or at risk of becoming homeless due to the COVID-19 crisis for a term of 10/1/2020 through December 30, 2020; and
c. Authorize the Director or the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) additional amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($125,000) of the current contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on the implementation of referral 2020.23 titled, Monterey County Emergency Renters Relief Program assigned on 8/18/20;
b. Ratify the execution by the County Administrator Officer’s approval of agreement with United Way Monterey County, signed on September 21, 2020 for $1,250,000 to establish, administer, and fund a Monterey County Emergency Rent & Utility Relief Program (MCERURP) to assist low-income families adversely impacted or at risk of becoming homeless due to the COVID-19 crisis for a term of 10/1/2020 through December 30, 2020; and
c. Authorize the Director or the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) additional amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($125,000) of the current contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of Monterey County Emergency Rent and Utility Relief Program (MCERURP) is to distribute Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in order to provide rental and utility assistance to low-income Monterey County residents that are facing housing instability due to a loss or reduction of income resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.
MCERURP is aimed at assisting low-income families, defined as at or below 80% of the Area Median Income who are adversely impacted by COVID-19 and may be at risk of becoming homeless. The program will utilize United Way Monterey County’s (UWMC) existing 2-1-1 infrastructure to contract with community partners and disburse $1.25M of CARES Act funding. Applications will be initiated through Monterey County’s 2-1-1 System, which is staffed by trained and certified call specialists, or by any of UWMC’s grantee agencies who will assess applicants’ needs and MCERURP eligibility. Residents will be referred to an appropriate local service provider for rent and utility relief. Assistance will be issued directly by UWMC’s network of service providers. To ensure this funding is distributed widely, equitably, and responsibly, UWMC will seek local non-profit agencies throughout Monterey County, with experience administering rent and/or utility assistance, to apply for subgrants of this funding. All providers will utilize the United Way rental assistance screening and referral tool to ensure a collaborative network of coordinated providers. United Way will provide training to 2-1-1 call specialists and implementing partners to use this software that will also provide data on funding administered and regions of the County receiving the assistance.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Administration of CARES Act funding requires intergovernmental coordination, including adherence to state and federal reporting requirements. Development and implementation of the MCERURP requires departmental coordination, both within DSS and across the county, United Way of Monterey County and amongst the county’s 2-1-1 network of service providers.
FINANCING:
Funding for this Agreement will be provided by the approved Board’s plan for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding of $1,250,000. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues in SOC005 are currently available in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget. The Department will revisit appropriations in the Spring 2021 and come back to increase appropriations, if needed.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This action correlates to the Administration and Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to continue to receive State and federal funding to provide programs and services to the residents of the County.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
_X_ Economic Development
_X_ Administration
_X_ Health & Human Services
___ Infrastructure
___ Public Safety
Prepared by: Denise Vienne, Management Analyst x4484
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, Ext. 4430
Attachments: 2020 UWMC MCERURP Service Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk to the Board as an attachment to this Board Report