TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jennifer Yasumoto, Director of Health and Human Services Agency
REPORT BY: Summer Isham, Contracts Supervisor
SUBJECT: Actions regarding Funding Agreements with the California Department of Housing and Community Development
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) requests adoption of a resolution authorizing joint application for and acceptance of the County Allocation Awards under the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Transitional Housing Program (THP) Round 5 and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) Round 2.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Approval of the requested action will allow Director of HHSA to execute documents in connection with the THP and HNMP allocation awards for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in order to receive funds to help youth ages 18-24 secure and maintain housing.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Health and Human Services, Child Welfare Services division |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
There is no mandate to accept these funds, however, without them, HHSA will not be able to acquire the allocated funds to provide services that help youth, currently and formerly, in foster care and probation systems locate housing opportunities. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Appropriations have been included in the approved Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If this action is not approved, Napa County will not receive this additional funding to provide housing services to youth in the community. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
HCD allocates funding to counties for the support of housing navigators and housing stability to help youths ages 18-24 inclusive, also known as transitional aged youth (TAY), secure and maintain housing, with priority given to youths currently or formerly in the foster care or probation systems.
For THP, the allocation ($99,900) is based on each county's percentage of the total statewide number of young adults 18 through 20 years of age in foster care and homeless unaccompanied young adults (ages 18 through 24). Funds shall be used to: identify and assist housing services for this population in the community, assist this population to secure and maintain housing, improve coordination of services and linkages to community resources within the Child Welfare System and the Homeless Continuum of Care, and provide engagement in outreach and targeting to serve those with the most severe needs.
For HNMP, the allocation ($42,991) is based on each county's percentage of the total statewide number of young adults 17 through 21 years of age in the foster care and probation system. Funds shall be used to provide training to child welfare social workers and probation officers who serve nonminority dependents. The training shall address an overview of the housing resources available through the local coordinated entry system, homeless continuum of care, and county public agencies, including, but not limited to, housing navigation, permanent affordable housing, THP-Plus, and housing choice vouchers. The training shall also address how to access and receive a referral to existing housing resources, the social worker’s and probation officer’s role in identifying unstable housing situations for youth and referring youth to housing assistance programs.
In HHSA’s Child Welfare Services division, these funds will continue work with community partners to locate, procure, and maintain housing for youth in or formerly in foster care or the probation system. This is especially important for this age group as they transition to independent living arrangements. The housing needs of youth in foster care are great and these funds provide needed support to move these youth toward the best possible outcomes.