TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: David Morrison, Interim County Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Homeless Services
SUBJECT: Regional Early Action Planning Grant Suballocation Agreement
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Housing & Homeless Services requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Agreement No. 230401B with the Association of Bay Area Governments for a maximum of $102,201 for the term May 16, 2023 through December 31, 2023, to support funding a farmworker needs assessment.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) received grant funds awarded by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development and has suballocated $102,201 to support a farmworker needs assessment for planning of affordable housing on agricultural land near urban areas. The term of the agreement shall begin on May 16, 2023 and conclude on December 31, 2023.
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? |
Fund 2080, Affordable Housing Trust Fund |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
This item is discretionary in that there is no mandate to apply for or accept funds. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Funds will be expended through 2023 |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Napa County will not receive State allocated funding for the farmworker needs assessment. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Effective and Open Government |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On September 13, 2022, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to conduct a Farmworker Housing and Community Needs Assessment (“Assessment”). The purpose of the Assessment is to collect the necessary data to inform future discussion and planning about farmworker housing and community-based support service’s needs. The County conducted an Assessment in FY 11/12 which was released in 2013. A Grand Jury report in 2018 recommended a new Assessment be conducted. The establishment of the Division of Housing & Homeless Services within the CEO’s office (merging Homeless Programs, County Affordable Housing and the Napa County Housing Authority into a single Department) in July of 2019, followed by the pandemic, both delayed the timing of planning for a new Assessment.
On September 28, 2022, Housing Commissioners approved creation of an ad hoc committee to provide input and direction on a Scope of Work for a Farmworker Housing and Community Needs Assessment Request For Proposal (RFP). On January 3, 2023 Housing & Homeless Services staff released a Request for Proposal. Despite multiple inquiries and interest from private and public entities, no proposals have been received due to limited staffing capacity at each of the interested organizations. County staff are now pursuing strategies and methods to conduct a survey directly, through the possible hiring of an Extra Help/Outreach position and coordination with non-profit service providers and local employers.
To support the County with the farmworker needs assessment, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is suballocating $102,201 through grant funds awarded by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding includes access to City Innovative, Inc., a project management platform to assist with procurement, contracting, and invoicing process. Eligible uses of funding include staff time, contracts and outreach-related expenses.
The term of the agreement shall begin on May 16, 2023 and conclude on December 31, 2023.