To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors, District 5
Staff Name and Phone Number: Elise Weiland; (707) 565-2241
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fifth
Title:
Title
Emergency Financial Assistance for January 2023 storm victims
End
Recommended Actions:
Recommended action
A) Authorize up to $250,000 to be provided to West County Community Services for Homeless services on the Lower Russian River, including funding to keep the Guerneville Homeless Shelter open beyond the winter season, funding to support a homeless services navigator and outreach coordinator, and funding to replenish the organizations emergency financial assistance fund.
B) Delegate authority to the Director of Health Services to enter into an agreement with the West County Community Services for the services described above.
C) Authorize up to $50,000 to be used for capacity building and community outreach to better identify and connect with underserved community members and ensure that future efforts will reach those in need.
D) Delegate authority for the County Administrator to enter into an agreement with Raizes Collective to provide services described above.
E) Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors amending the FY 2022-23 Budget for the Reinvestment and Revitalization funds to appropriate $300,000 that has been earmarked for homeless services on the Lower Russian River
(4/5th Vote Required) (Fifth District)
end
Executive Summary:
West County Community Services (WCCS) provides services for homeless individuals in the Lower Russian River area, including providing outreach and navigation services to connect people to available services and operating a homeless shelter in conjunction with the County. Current funding for these services is set to expire on March 31, 2023. The need for these services is ongoing. Additionally, WCCS maintains funding for crisis support assistance that were depleted during the January winter storms. This item seeks to provide additional funding of up to $250,000 from Reinvestment and Revitalization funds that were previously earmarked for homeless services in the Guerneville area to allow these services to continue through June 30, 2023.
The January 2023 storms laid bare the level of need along the Lower Russian River. In response the County stood up emergency assistance centers that provided financial assistance to impacted community members, but it became clear that existing outreach programs did not reach many individuals. This item also requests authorization to use up to $50,000 from Reinvestment and Revitalization funds that were previously earmarked for homeless services in the Guerneville area to develop outreach and capacity building to better reach underserved communities in future programs.
Discussion:
WCCS provides a variety of services for homeless individuals. These positions connect homeless clients with IDs, benefits, housing providers, and landlords. The Service Navigator meets with clients and assists them in their housing journey. The Outreach Coordinator maintains contact with clients to support their progress with medical professionals, employers, and needed services. Additionally, WCCS has been operating the homeless shelter at the Guerneville Vets Building. This shelter has traditionally only be open during the winter months, however during the COVID epidemic services have been expanded to operate year-round. Funding for both the shelter and the outreach and navigation positions is set to expire on March 31, 2023. Additional funding of $230,000 is requested here to continue these services through the end of FY 2023. Additionally, WCCS offers emergency crisis support funding to individuals. Their funding for this program was depleted during the winter storms, and $20,000 is requested here to continue this program.
The west County bore the brunt of the January 2023 winter storms, with heaviest rainfall totals, extensive storm damage, and prolonged power outages. Thousands of residents lost power, some for up to 9 days, and some repeatedly. Many were dislocated from their homes and others were unable to work or do business during the storms. The most vulnerable residents, including the homeless, were often the most directly impacted, and have the fewest resources to weather the disaster. In response to the storms, the County stood up assistance centers that provided financial assistance and connected residents to critical services. Despite great efforts to reach underserved communities, gaps remain. This item requests an additional amount of up to $50,000 be utilized for outreach, capacity building, and education to ensure that the County is better able to connect with the Latinx community, including housing vulnerable and housing unstable individuals and families, in the event of future disasters, funds also could be used for emergency crisis support funding to individuals engaged through his initiative or expenditures to support future community connectedness and resiliency. If approved, staff will contract with Raizes Collective, which has provided successful outreach around the COVID 19 epidemic, to provide these services.
As the final agreements for both items are still being finalized, this item requests authorization for the Director of Health Services to enter into agreement with WCCS and for the County Administrator to enter into an agreement with Raizes Collective related to the services described here.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$300,000 |
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Total Expenditures |
$300,000 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
$300,000 |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$300,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Funding will come from Reinvestment and Revitalization fund balance that was initially set aside for a Guerneville homeless shelter. Currently $485,000 remain in this set aside, which will be reduced to $185,000 should this item be approved.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A - I Step) |
Additions (number) |
Deletions (number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/S
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/S