Title
Authorize the Director of Social Services to sign the notice of intent to apply as an independent applicant and sign all state funding agreements related to the Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Round 3 (HHAP-3) funding for Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the Director of Social Services to sign the notice of intent to apply as an independent applicant and sign all state funding agreements related to the Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Round 3 (HHAP-3) funding for Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The State of California Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 3 (HHAP-3) Standard Agreement to apply is due October 15, 2021. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code 50220.7(a), funding requires all eligible applicant to submit a notice of intent to apply jointly with an overlapping jurisdiction or apply as an individual entity. Any eligible applicant that does not submit an agreement by the deadline may have their allocation re-allocated to an overlapping jurisdiction. The actual HHAP-3 application is separate and is stated to be released in early 2022. Staff will return to this board with the prepared application for authorization to submit at a later date.
The Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) announced the Round 3 base allocation for the County of Monterey is $3,381,924.17. The overlapping jurisdiction within Monterey County is the Continuum of Care for Salinas/Monterey, San Benito Counties (CoC) operated through the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers. The CoC’s HHAP-3 base allocation is $4,047,053.88.
The County of Monterey must certify whether the application will be submitted as an Individual or Jointly with our CoC. An individual application acknowledges the County’s intent to participate in the HHAP-3 application process and allows the County to direct funds for eligible uses independent of the CoC. An individual application allows the County to receive an initial disbursement equaling no more than 20% ($676,385) of the County’s total allocation. Initial funds may be used to complete the local homeless action plan, as required for the HHAP-3 application, including any technical assistance or contract to support completion of the action plan. The Department is also recommending approval to sign the initial funding disbursement agreement which will be sent after our form has been received.
A joint application would obligate the County to defer administrative control of the funds by participating in the HHAP-3 application process in partnership with the CoC, and designate a single administrative entity to receive the entire combined HHAP-3 allocations. A joint application would allow the administrative entity to receive an initial disbursement equaling no more than 25% ($1,857,244.51) of the combined total allocation. Both the CoC and the County would be required to enter into a binding resolution to collectively prioritize and jointly allocate how the funds will be utilized.
The Department is recommending an individual application in order to support County prioritized projects and maintain the authority to independently allocate how the funds will be utilized.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Department of Social Services has collaborated with the County Administrative Office, Housing and Community Development, Health Department, the Bureau of Behavioral Health, and the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers as the local Continuum of Care to ensure collective discussion on regional homeless goals and priority services. Once the agreement is received it will be sent to County Counsel for review and approval as to form.
FINANCING:
If the County submitted a joint application with the local CoC, the State would issue an additional 5% in their initial disbursement of funding.
The Department’s recommendation is to submit an individual application. By submitting the Standard Agreement to apply by October 15, 2021, eligible applicants will receive an initial disbursement up to 20% of the total allocation before the application is due. Monterey County’s estimated allocation is $3,381,924.17 with an estimated 20% initial disbursement up to $676,385. The Department will return at a future date to increase appropriations.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors by working collaboratively to address and develop a plan for ending homelessness.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
X Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, CAM, x8492
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: HHAP Round 3 Standard Agreement to Apply
The Standard Agreement to Apply is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report