TO: Napa County Housing Commission
FROM: Jennifer Palmer, Executive Director
REPORT BY: Alex Carrasco, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Appointing Commissioners to Serna Grant Ad Hoc Committee
RECOMMENDATION
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Appointment of two commissioners to serve on an ad hoc committee focused on strategic planning for securing additional Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant funding.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2019, the Napa County Housing Authority was awarded Joe Serna, Jr Farmworker Housing Grant funding (Serna Grant) funding in the amount of $250,000 annually for a term not to extend beyond ten (10) years to assist with maintenance and operations of the three-county owned farmworker centers (Centers). In exchange, the Authority will continue to serve the needs of migrant farm workers in Napa County for twenty-five years from the first year of disbursement (2020). Now in year six of ten, the opportunity to plan for securing additional Serna Grant funding is prudent. Staff request appointing two commissioners to serve on an ad hoc committee focused on strategic planning for Serna Grant funding. The role shall involve a series of meetings with staff over the course of the next six to eight months to work with Housing & Community Services staff as well as staff from the CEO office to develop a plan for successful application to the State for renewed funding. Work will include understanding the larger economic context of the need and ask within the full scope of Countywide needs and asks at the State level, establishing a set of priority actions, engaging with local stakeholders, and regular reporting on progress to the Housing Commission.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Staff Report
2. Public Comment
3. Motion, Second, Discussion and Vote to appoint two commissioners to the ad hoc committee.
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
The purpose of the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program (Serna Grant) is to fund new construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of owner-occupied and rental units for agricultural workers, with a priority for lower income households, and is administered by the Housing and Community Development, a department of the state of California.