Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Receive a presentation on vital homeless and housing programs for vulnerable populations that are part of Monterey County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Plan;
b. Approve and authorize the Department of Social Services Director to negotiate and execute a contract amendment #3 with the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, adding $1,440,000 to continue Project Room Key, extending the term through June 30, 2021; increasing the total contract amount to $4,939,213;
c. Approve and Authorize extending the term and discretionary revenue funding for the contingency portion ($500,000) of the Project Roomkey agreement approved under the original CARES Plan to June 30, 2021;
d. Approve and Authorize extending the term and the unspent discretionary revenue funding for the rapid re-housing portion ( $235,000 estimated) of the Project Roomkey agreement approved under the original CARES Plan to June 30, 2021;
e. Authorize 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 increase funding for the Agreement and do not significantly change the scope of work;
f. Accept $456,994 of State Disaster Response Emergency Operations funding for Project Roomkey services from the California Department of Social Services;
g. Approve an increase in appropriations and revenues of $456,994 for the Social Services Community Programs Budget Unit 001-5010-SOC004-8258 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget (4/5ths vote);
h. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations and revenues of $456,994 in the Social Services Community Programs Budget Unit 001-5010-SOC004-8258 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget (4/5ths vote);
i. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to complete an operating transfer-out from Social Services Community Programs 001-5010-SOC004-8258-7614 and a operating transfer-in to the Operations of Emergency Services Budget Unit 001-1050-CAO005-8056-5940 in the amount of $456,994;
j. Approve an increase in appropriations of $1,440,000 and revenues of $456,994 in the Operations of Emergency Services Budget Unit 001-1050-CAO005-8056, financed by a release of $983,006 from the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132 (4/5ths vote required); and
k. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations by $1,440,000 and revenues of $456,994 in the Operations of Emergency Services Budget Unit 001-1050-CAO005-8056, financed by a release of $983,006 from the Cannabis Assignment Fund balance BSA 001 3132 (4/5ths vote required). (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Receive a presentation on vital homeless and housing programs for vulnerable populations that are part of Monterey County’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Plan;
b. Approve and authorize the Department of Social Services Director to negotiate and execute a contract amendment #3 with the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, adding $1,440,000 to continue Project Room Key, extending the term through June 30, 2021; increasing the total contract amount to $4,939,213;
c. Approve and Authorize extending the term and funding for the contingency portion ($500,000) of the Project Roomkey agreement approved under the Current CARES Plan to June 30, 2021;
d. Approve and Authorize extending the term for the rapid re-housing portion of the Agreement and funding from the CARES Plan to June 30, 2021;
e. Authorize 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 increase funding for the Agreement and do not significantly change the scope of work;
f. Accept $456,994 of State Disaster Response Emergency Operations funding for Project Roomkey services from the California Department of Social Services;
g. Approve an increase in appropriations and revenues of $456,994 for the Social Services Community Programs Budget Unit 001-5010-SOC004-8258 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget (4/5ths vote);
h. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations and revenues of $456,994 in the Social Services Community Programs Budget Unit 001-5010-SOC004-8258 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget (4/5ths vote);
i. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to complete an operating transfer-out from Social Services Community Programs 001-5010-SOC004-8258-7614 and a operating transfer-in to the Operations of Emergency Services Budget Unit 001-1050-CAO005-8056-5940 in the amount of $456,994;
j. Approve an increase in appropriations of $1,440,000 and revenues of $456,994 in the Operations of Emergency Services Budget Unit 001-1050-CAO005-8056, financed by a release of $983,006 from the Cannabis Tax Assignment, BSA 001-3132 (4/5ths vote required); and
k. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations by $1,440,000 and revenues of $456,994 in the Operations of Emergency Services Budget Unit 001-1050-CAO005-8056, financed by a release of $983,006 from the Cannabis Assignment Fund balance BSA 001 3132 (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The CARES Act provided our community with a critical funding resource for preventing, responding to, and preparing for the impacts of the coronavirus. Through this source of funds, several new and innovative programs were established in support of homeless and very-low income residents. These programs included Project Roomkey, the County Rent & Utility Assistance program operated by United Way of Monterey County, and establishment of a new county-wide homeless outreach team in coordination with the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers and CSU Monterey Bay.
The funding for the Monterey County CARES Plan expires on December 30, 2020 and new funding resources need to be identified should these vital programs be continued. County staff have reviewed multiple funding options such as Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP), Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act Funds, and Whole Person Care. On November 17, Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to immediately direct $62 million in one-time funds from the state’s Disaster Response Emergency Operations Account (DREOA) to counties around the state to continue providing housing to current Project Roomkey participants. Of that allocation, Monterey County has been allocated $456,994 to contribute to our local project.
Staff have analyzed these projects and potential funding sources which will be detailed through the presentation.
|
Program |
Funds Identified |
Funding Gap |
Service Term |
|
Project Roomkey |
$456,994, DREOA |
$983,006 |
1/1/2021 - 6/30/2021 |
|
Homeless Outreach Team |
$250,236, HHAP |
$0 |
1/1/2021 - 6/30/2021 |
|
Homeless Outreach Team |
$1.2M, ESG (City of Salinas) |
$0 |
7/1/2021 - 6/30/2022 |
|
Sanitation Stations |
Unknown |
$25,000/month |
unknown |
|
Rent & Utility Assistance |
$1,049,326, CDBG CARES |
unknown |
1/1/2021 - 12/31/2021 |
|
Project Homekey |
$900,000, HHAP & Health |
$0 |
FY 21-24 |
|
Project Homekey |
Unknown |
~$300,000/year |
FY 24-25 |
Should these programs continue, new funding sources need to be identified.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Coalition of Homeless Services Providers and Monterey County Housing and Community Development.
FINANCING:
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is recommending amending the current Coalition of Homeless Services Providers Agreement that includes Project Roomkey, Homeless Outreach, and Rapid Rehousing services currently thru December 31, 2020 approved under Monterey County’s CARES Plan. The recommendation requests extending the Project Roomkey services from December 31, 2020 through June 30, 2021 and adding additional appropriations in the amount of $1,440,000. Additionally, the Department recommends extending the term and use of unspent funds to June 30, 2021 for the Project Roomkey contingency that covers damages to the motel rooms not reimbursable by insurance and the balance of unspent funds for Rapid Re-housing. These program costs were approved under the CARES Plan that was originally using CARES Act Funds and then later covered by County discretionary funds. The Homeless Outreach services in this agreement will continue to end on December 31, 2020, however, a separate agreement with CSU of Monterey Bay directly will be developed for January through June of 2021 with Homeless, Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP) funds and then FY 2021-22 will be funded through our partnership with City of Salinas.
Amendment #3 recommends adding $1,440,000 to the current agreement which requires an increase in appropriations and revenues for OES. The increase is being funded by $456,994 State Social Service revenues, and staff requests the Board to approve the release of $983,006 from the Cannabis Tax Assignment BSA 001-3132 to finance expenditures to be incurred by the Project Roomkey Program under the OES Budget 001-1050-CAO005-8056. These expenditures may be eligible for reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) but are not guaranteed. Any reimbursement received from FEMA will, in turn, reimburse the Cannabis Fund.
Additionally, DSS received new funding from the California’s Disaster Response Emergency Operations Account to support additional Project Roomkey services in the amount of $456,994 which was not included in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget for both OES and DSS therefore, an increase in appropriations was requested for both OES and DSS. DSS will receive and be responsible for reporting and claiming costs back to the State. A recommendation to authorize an operating transfer between the two departments is required for DSS reporting/claiming.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Public Safety, Health & Human Services, and Administration Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing access to shelter to reduce risk and spread of COVID-19 to high risk individuals experiencing homelessness.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__ Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, CAM x8492 and Becky Cromer, Interim Finance Director, x4404
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director x4430
Attachments:
Presentation on vital homeless and housing programs for vulnerable populations funded by CARES Act
FY 2020-21 Project Roomkey Allocation Table