To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera 707-565-4774; Michael Gause 707-565-4099
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Resolution for 2023 State Emergency Solutions Grant Funds and Resolution for Transferring State Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Contracts
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Adopt a resolution, as required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, authorizing and directing the Director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, or designee, to:
i. Receive up to $322,434 in Federal funds from the State’s 2023 allocation of Federal Emergency Solutions Grant Program;
ii. Function as the Administrative Entity for the administration of the State’s Federal Emergency Solutions Grant funds; and
iii. Execute the Emergency Solutions Grant Program Standard Agreement, any subsequent related program agreements, amendments, or modifications thereto, as well as any other documents that are related or deemed appropriate by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
B) Adopt a resolution for the transfer of current grant agreements and any amendments thereto of State of California Emergency Solutions Grants, State of California Emergency Solutions Grants-Coronavirus from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission to the Sonoma County Department of Health Services as the new Continuum of Care Lead Agency.
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Executive Summary:
The Department of Health Services (hereinafter, “DHS” or “the Department”) is requesting Board adoption of a resolution authorizing and directing the Director of Health Services, or designee, to receive and administer between $161,217 and $322,434 in Federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds allocated by the State to the Sonoma County Continuum of Care (CA-504). Funds will be used to support the homeless system of care, specifically for emergency shelter and rapid rehousing. The proposed resolution authorizes the Director of Health Services, or designee, the delegated authority to execute the Emergency Solutions Grant Program Standard Agreement, any subsequent related program agreements, amendments, or modifications thereto, as well as any other documents that are related or deemed appropriate by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
On September 12, 2023 the Board adopted an earlier version of the resolution related to Recommended Action “B” above. The State requested minor language changes a week later.
Discussion:
On July 28, 2023, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for its Federal Emergency Solutions Grant Program funds allocated to local Homeless Continuums of Care (CoC). The amount of funding allocated by the State to the Sonoma County CoC is estimated at $161,217, including $64,487 that must be used for Rapid Rehousing, $92,413 for all ESG eligible uses, and a $4,317 administrative allowance. HCD requires that Administrative Entities (in this case, DHS as the Lead Agency for the Sonoma County CoC) request Board authorization for up to twice the allocation amount to ensure local communities’ access to all available dollars, and this amount of “up to $322,434” is reflected in the resolution that authorizes the DHS to apply for and receive the State’s Federal ESG funds. These funds are dedicated to work performed under the authority of the Sonoma County CoC but must be approved and awarded by DHS as the CoC’s Administrative Entity. Funds can only be used in the jurisdictions of Santa Rosa and Petaluma.
ESG Funds will be awarded via a competitive process to be conducted in the winter of FY 2023-24, with funds distributed in FY 2024-25. Eligible uses of these funds include Rapid Rehousing programs (at least 40% of funds must be used for this purpose), Homelessness Prevention, Emergency Shelter operations, Street Outreach, and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) coordination. Rapid rehousing is an intervention designed to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Rapid rehousing assistance is offered without pre-conditions (e.g., employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety), and the resources and services provided are tailored to the unique needs of the household. Following completion of this NOFA process, staff will bring funding recommendations to the CoC Board for recommendations of award.
In previous years, State ESG funds have been utilized to provide core services at emergency shelters such as Sam Jones Hall and Family Support Center with Catholic Charities and Mary Isaac Center with Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) in Petaluma. Additionally, rapid rehousing funds have supported both Catholic Charities and COTS. On recommendation by the CoC, the Director of DHS, or designee, will then execute all related award agreements.
On September 12, 2023 the Board adopted an earlier version of the resolution related to Recommended Action “B” above. The state asked for changes the following week to include the title of Director at DHS as well as the balance of funds remaining on the grant. This was directed by new Legal Counsel with State HCD.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Goal 4: Reduce the County’s overall homeless population by 10% each year by enhancing services through improved coordination and collaboration.
Objective: Objective 5: Continue to collaborate with local partners, including Continuum of Care, to advance planning and policies to address homelessness.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
On September 12, 2023 the Board adopted a resolution for the transfer of current grant agreements and any amendments thereto of State of California Emergency Solutions Grants, State of California Emergency Solutions Grants-Coronavirus from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission to the Sonoma County Department of Health Services as the new Continuum of Care Lead Agency.
September 20, 2022, Agenda item #9: Adoption of a Resolution to administer $452,220 (in Federal Emergency Solutions Grants allocated by the State to Sonoma County).
March 22, 2022, Agenda Item #1: Adoption of a Resolution to administer $452,220 (in Federal Emergency Solutions Grants allocated by the State to Sonoma County).
July 7, 2020, Agenda Item #4: Adoption of Resolution to administer $606,798 (in Federal Emergency Solutions Grants allocated by the State to Sonoma County).
February 11, 2020, Agenda Item #5: Adoption of Amended Resolution No. 19-0552 Direction Commission to Receive up to $439,482 in Federal Funds from the Emergency Solutions Grant Program.
July 10, 2018, Agenda Item #49: Funding awards for FY 2018-2019 for Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, State and Local Emergency Solutions Grant.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
$161,217 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
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Total Expenditures |
0 |
$161,217 |
0 |
|
Funding Sources |
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|
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General Fund/WA GF |
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|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
$161,217 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
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|
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
|
|
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Total Sources |
0 |
$161,217 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The allocation will support the system of care with annual ESG funds. Appropriations will be added to the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Recommended Budget during development. If the County receives an amount above $161,217 but below $322,434, then the NOFA and FY 2024-25 budget will be amended accordingly.
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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/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution to Receive Emergency Solutions Grant Funds
Attachment 2 - Resolution Transferring Grant Agreements and Amendments
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None