TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, Chief Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Community Services
SUBJECT: Approval for the application and acceptance of a transfer of CoC HUD Grant
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve the application for and acceptance of the transfer of a Housing and Urban Development grant not to exceed $337,406 for Permanent Supportive Housing services from Buckelew Programs to Napa County Department of Housing & Community Services, and approve a grant transfer agreement (Agreement No. 8695) between Buckelew and Napa County. (Fiscal Impact: $337,406 Revenue; Housing & Community Services Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
Buckelew Programs (“Buckelew”) is a long-time social service agency receiving local Continuum of Care (CoC) funds to provide permanent supportive housing (“PSH”) and services to individuals formerly experiencing homelessness in Napa County. In early February 2025, Buckelew notified the Department of Housing & Community Services (HCS) of their intent to cease all service provision in Napa County. Termination of services includes the cessation of permanent supportive housing rental assistance and service provision to enrolled individuals under an open grant Buckelew has through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant, Napa PSH 01.01.25 - 12.31.25, grant number CA0777L9T172315, has a period of performance of the calendar year 2025, with a total amount of $337,406 awarded. While the grant provides for all costs related to the housing support needed for the currently enrolled individuals, termination of their Napa program by Buckelew without transferring the HUD-awarded CoC PSH grant to another agency would result in the eleven individuals’ immediate loss of housing. Buckelew’s original grant proposal is included as part of the board item. A description of the project covered by the grant can be found beginning on page 29 of the original grant proposal.
The process to transfer an open CoC PSH project from one organization to another requires documentation that the transfer is approved by the local CoC and a letter from the HUD Field Office approving the request. Both letters are then submitted to the HUD Exchange from the Federal office. The transfer process can take several months to complete.
HCS is currently the largest single recipient of Napa CoC PSH funding, with current year grant awards totaling more than $750,000 annually. Services for PSH enrolled clients are provided under contract with Abode Services. HCS and Abode Services have agreed to incorporate the current Buckelew PSH program into the Abode Services contract, should the grant transfer be approved by HUD. The actual amount of funding to be transferred to the County and incorporated into the Abode contract will depend on the timing of the final approval. At that time, Staff will return with an item to amend the Abode contract and HCS budget in the amount of the final transfer.
HCS staff have confirmed the requested transfer is allowable within existing HUD regulations and have already been in contact with the HUD Field Office to confirm their preliminary approval of the transfer. The CoC Board has also reviewed the request and given preliminary approval of the transfer. Buckelew programs as indicated a desire to submit the request for the transfer as soon as possible. Staff will return to the Board of Supervisors with related budget and contract amendments following HUD approval, based on the actual amount of grant transfer.
A grant transfer agreement is attached to this Board item for approval. The transfer agreement memorializes Buckelew’s transfers of the grant to the County, subject to HUD approval. Buckelew’s original grant proposal is attached as Exhibit A to the transfer agreement.
Requested Action:
Approve the application for and acceptance of the transfer of the Housing and Urban Development grant not to exceed $337,406 for Permanent Supportive Housing services, approve the grant transfer agreement (Agreement No. 8695) between Buckelew and Napa County, and authorize the Chair to execute all necessary grant related documents.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
There is no mandate to receive HUD funding |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Funds will be budgeted into current and next fiscal years |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The Napa Continuum of Care will potentially lose community dedicated funding, and individuals currently enrolled in Buckelew Programs PSH may lose their housing if services are terminated before the end of the grant performance period. |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed actions is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.