TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: David Morrison, Interim County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Homeless Services
SUBJECT: Updated 2022 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Resolutions
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Housing & Homeless Services requests adoption of the following two updated Resolutions related to the application and acceptance of the 2022 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) in an amount not to exceed $520,000:
1. Non-Competitive Balance of State allocation in an amount not to exceed $120,000; and
2. Competitive Balance of State allocation in an amount not to exceed $400,000.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program with funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year the State makes two allocations available for application: a non-competitive allocation and a competitive allocation. A Resolution is required by HCD for each application. Housing & Homeless Services requests the adoption of two Resolutions to apply for a maximum of $520,000 for the 2022 Emergency Solutions Grant program.
Napa County DHHS was requested to update the previous resolutions approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 26, 2022, to ensure compliance with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Resolution format.
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? |
Housing & Homeless Services Division |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Approval of the requested action is discretionary in that there is no mandate to accept the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding to support Napa County’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. Approval will provide the County with grant funding to support Napa County’s homelessness services, including housing services and shelter services. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Program funds, if awarded, will be available for use across FY2022-23 and FY 2023-24. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If permission to apply is not approved, the Department would not be able to provide ongoing grant funded services to Napa County residents. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
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Additional Information |
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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 State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program with funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program provides funding for the following purposes:
1. A maximum of 10% of the funds provided under this agreement may be used for Street Outreach, Homeless Prevention and/or Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) activities;
2. Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street;
3. Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families;
4. Provide essential services to shelter residents;
5. Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; and
6. Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.
On June 13, 2022, HCD released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the state-administered Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, Balance of State (BoS) Allocation. The ESG BoS NOFA sets forth the process and requirements for submitting applications for ESG funds, with all applications and all required documentation due to HCD no later than Wednesday, August 17, 2022.
The County of Napa has applied for and received ESG funding by HCD annually since 2016. The purpose of the ESG program is to help individuals and families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. HCD provides ESG funds by formula to states, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and U.S. territories to support homelessness prevention, emergency shelter and related services.
The ESG program, coupled with other funding, supports initiatives providing homelessness prevention, street outreach and housing subsidies using the Coordinated Entry system. Per HCD guidance, separate Resolutions are required, one for the Noncompetitive Balance of State allocation and one for the Competitive Balance of State allocation. Approval of this item authorizes the Chair of the Board to sign two Resolutions to apply for and accept the 2022 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Non-Competitive Balance of State allocation in an amount not to exceed $120,000 and Competitive Balance of State allocation in an amount not to exceed $400,000.
In November of 2022, HCD notified Napa County DHHS that the Resolutions previously submitted did not follow the appropriate format approved by HCD. The Resolutions have been updated to ensure compliance.