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DATE: |
December 10, 2024 |
13 |
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM ROUND 5 GRANT FUNDING (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 129, authorizing $869.5 million to counties, large cities, and Continuums of Care (CoC) through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 5 (HHAP-5) Grant Program. HHAP is a block grant program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), designed to support regional coordination by providing local jurisdictions with flexible funding to continue efforts to reduce and prevent homelessness. The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Homeless Solutions (HSEC-OHS) currently administers HHAP rounds one through four funding.
HHAP-5 was structured differently than prior rounds with the State requiring one application be submitted utilizing a collaborative regional approach. In March 2024, the County submitted a joint application and executed a required Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with the City of San Diego and the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness (RTFH), which is San Diego County’s local CoC. The application submitted to HCD, and the MOA, serves as the required Regionally Coordinated Action Plan to End Homelessness, with all eligible applicants included on the submission. Applicants were notified of the award on October 17, 2024.
Today’s actions request the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorize acceptance of HHAP-5 Grant Program funds, and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, or designee, to execute agreements, certification forms, and all necessary documents for the submittal, regulatory processing, and implementation of the HHAP-5 Grant funds. This funding will continue to support several programs HSEC-OHS has implemented, including the Local Rental Subsidy Program and Housing Our Youth. In addition, today’s actions also request the Board authorize a transfer of one percent of the County’s HHAP-5 award to RTFH, to administer the Homeless Management Information System database.
Today’s item supports the County’s vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically for those communities and populations in the county that have been historically disadvantaged and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This item also aligns with and supports the County’s Framework for Ending Homelessness, by ensuring our most vulnerable community members have access to housing, care coordination, and connections to healthcare and workforce opportunities.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Authorize acceptance of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 5 (HHAP-5) grant funding of $14,160,464 through June 30, 2028.
2. Authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, or designee, to execute agreements, certification forms, and all necessary documents for the acceptance, regulatory processing, and implementation of HHAP-5 grant funding, and take any other actions necessary as required by HCD.
3. Authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, or designee, to execute sub-recipient grant agreements, and all necessary documents, and take any other actions necessary to transfer one percent of the County of San Diego’s total allocation of HHAP-5 funding to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness for utilization of Homeless Management Information System data systems, and to amend the subrecipient grant agreements as necessary, subject to the approval of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Homeless Solutions is dedicated to addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing equitable access to preventative and supportive services for vulnerable residents.
In January 2024, the We All Count Point-in-Time Count (PITC) of persons experiencing homelessness identified 10,605 individuals living on the streets or in San Diego County shelters on one night. Of this number, 6,110 individuals were reportedly unsheltered, of which approximately 44% reported chronic homelessness, 28% were female, 9% were veterans, 8% were youth, and 2% were families. People of color are disproportionately impacted among those experiencing homelessness, with 16% identifying as Black or African American, which is over three times the proportion of Black or African Americans residing in the county; and 2% identify as American Indian, which is double the proportion of American Indians in the county. In addition to the PITC, the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness Community Snapshot Dashboard indicates approximately 35% of all people experiencing homelessness in the county identified as Hispanic.
People who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness, impacted community members, community partners, and other key stakeholders are engaged during the development of County plans to address homelessness, and their feedback is valued and incorporated into development of programs. The County conducted lived experience forums in the unincorporated communities in North, East, and South Regions to gain valuable information on shaping programs. Moreover, ensuring racial and social equity in all aspects of homelessness prevention and response is one of the key principles that guides the Framework and all items under its strategic domains. It is anticipated that Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 5 funding will provide needed housing and supports to individuals countywide, including youth and those who are disproportionately represented in the homeless system, including justice-involved individuals and individuals with a range of health and social needs, as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Today’s proposed actions support the County of San Diego (County) Sustainability Goal #1 to engage the community in meaningful ways; Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access to County services; and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect health and well-being of everyone in the region by engaging the community through an existing comprehensive outreach strategy that includes working collaboratively with regionwide partners. These partners will be able to utilize Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 5 funding to continue to address the homelessness crisis by adding additional emergency shelters, providing supportive services, rental assistance, and other innovative housing solutions and services. The recommended actions will provide just and equitable access to housing and support countywide, including to youth and those who are disproportionately represented in the homeless system, have a range of health and social needs, or who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color. These actions also align with the goal of protecting the health and well-being of everyone in the region by ensuring the most vulnerable community members have access to housing, and connections to healthcare and workforce opportunities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2026 Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of $212,408 for FY 2024-25 and $3,490,747 for FY 2025-26, and $10,457,309 in FYs 2026-27 through 2027-28, for a total cost and revenue of $14,160,464 from FYs 2024-25 through 2027-28. Funds for FY 2024-25 will be covered by existing appropriations within HHSA and funds for subsequent years will be incorporated into future operational plans. The funding source is the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 5 grant through the California Department of Housing and Community Development. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the needs of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the county. To maximize existing and future regional work on homelessness and to create a unified strategic approach to support the coordination of homeless services and funding, the Board adopted the County Framework for Ending Homelessness (Framework). The Framework encompasses the County’s ongoing work and provides a vision to support forward, collaborative, and impactful progress. The County’s strategic path for ending homelessness across five strategic domains include: 1) Root Causes and Prevention; 2) Diversion and Mitigation; 3) Services, Treatment and Outreach; 4) Emergency/Interim Housing and Resources; and 5) Permanent Housing and Support. The Framework provides a vision for building capacity across these strategic domains to ensure an equitable approach to service delivery. Efforts are geared toward ensuring people experiencing homelessness in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County have access to critical emergency housing options and supportive services.
On July 31, 2019, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 101, authorizing the establishment of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant program, which made $650 million in flexible funding available statewide for a range of purposes to address California’s homelessness crisis, including emergency shelters, navigation centers, rental assistance, operating subsidies, and other innovative housing solutions and services. On June 8, 2021 (6), and February 11, 2020 (8), in alignment with the Framework for Ending Homelessness, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized acceptance of rounds one and two of HHAP funding for approximately $14.6 million.
On July 19, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 140 (Health & Safety Code §50218.7 et seq.), which established $1.0 billion in HHAP round three (HHAP-3) funding. On May 24, 2022 (7), the Board authorized acceptance of $12.8 million for HHAP-3. Additionally, under AB 140, the California Department of Housing Community Development (HCD) made $1.0 billion available in HHAP round four (HHAP-4) funding. On December 13, 2022 (8), the Board approved the application for, and acceptance of $10.5 million in HHAP-4 funding.
On July 10, 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 129, which authorized $869.5 million in HHAP round five (HHAP-5) funding to counties, large cities, and Continuums of Care (CoC). AB 129 required a joint application and creation of a regionally coordinated Homelessness Action Plan (Action Plan), which was developed in partnership between the County of San Diego (County), the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness (RTFH), which serves as San Diego County’s CoC, and the City of San Diego (City).
In March 2024, the County submitted a joint application with the City and RTFH for HHAP-5 funding. In adherence to the jointly submitted application, the County entered into a Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with the City and RTFH to work together to develop solutions to end homelessness in the county. This MOA and the submitted joint application serve as the required Regionally Coordinated Action Plan to End Homelessness (Action Plan). On October 17, 2024, the County, City and RTFH were awarded a total amount of $58.9 million. Of the total amount awarded, the City will receive $29.9 million and RTFH will receive $14.8 million respectively, with the remaining of about $14.2 million being awarded to the County. Each entity will administer their own funding. Funding allocations were determined by HCD based on annual Point-in-Time County data.
The County Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Homeless Solutions currently administers all four prior rounds of HHAP funding. Prior rounds are funding the following programs: Housing Our Youth, Community Harm Reduction Team and Community Harm Reduction Safe Haven, Local Rental Subsidy Program, Community Care Coordination Straight to Home Program as well as Department of General Services support of efforts related to Compassionate Emergency Solutions and Pathways to Housing.
Prior rounds of HHAP funding were awarded and overseen by California Interagency Council on Homelessness (CalICH). In 2024 during the HHAP-5 application review period, the oversight of HHAP funding was transitioned to California Department of Housing and Community Development. County, City and RTFH staff remained in close communication with both entities during the transition process to ensure the progress of our joint application which resulted in ultimate award in October of this year.
Utilization of HHAP-5 Funding
The County Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, Office of Homeless Solutions plans to use HHAP-5 funding to sustain the existing projects described below, that are currently funded by prior HHAP rounds.
Housing Our Youth
The HHAP-5 grant funding includes a statutory requirement for each applicant to spend at least 10% of the awarded funding to address youth homelessness. In alignment with this requirement, the County has utilized HHAP rounds one through four to fund Housing Our Youth (HOY) to support homelessness prevention and intervention activities for youth and young adults. HOY is a youth-centered, fully integrated care coordination program that was designed to provide youth and young adults up to the age of 24 who are experiencing homelessness, with immediate housing and wraparound support grounded in positive youth development principles, with the goal of permanent housing placement. In addition to housing, HOY services also include peer support, care coordination, service navigation, transportation, childcare, employment services, education assistance, tenant support, and other supportive services as needed to help youth remain stably housed and prepared for self-sufficiency. The current HOY program officially began serving youth and young adults in February 2023. Since February 2023, the program has demonstrated impactful success by serving 229 youth and young adults, and permanently housing 109 individuals.
Local Rental Subsidy Program
Funding from HHAP-5 will support the Local Rental Subsidy Program (LRSP), which provides up to 24 months of rental assistance subsidies for people experiencing homelessness, who are transitioning out of County emergency shelter programs into permanent housing. Programs such as the Regional Homeless Assistance Program and other Compassionate Emergency Solutions and Pathways to Housing programs assist households in applying for a subsidy voucher through the Housing Authority of the County of San Diego. This pathway ensures there are permanent housing solutions available for individuals enrolled in emergency housing solutions in the unincorporated areas of the county. Since 2020, Local Rental Subsidy Program has served over 300 households thus far and is anticipated to serve 100 additional households with HHAP-5 funding.
The Regional Taskforce on Homelessness, Local Continuum of Care
In accordance with AB 129, the State has allowed partner applicants to dedicate one percent of grant funding to the Local Continuum of Care, specifically for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). In the county, RTFH administers HMIS as part of Continuum of Care (COC) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. This online database system is used by COC service providers regionwide to track data related to people experiencing homelessness and providers are able to complete assessments, match individuals to available interventions, and collects data on outcomes. The County allocation includes one percent to be transferred to RTFH to continue to support centralized efforts related to the HHAP-5 joint Action Plan to reduce homelessness.
Today’s action requests the Board authorize acceptance of HHAP-5 grant program funds, and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency or designee, to execute agreements, certification forms, and all necessary documents for the submittal, regulatory processing, and implementation of the HHAP-5 grant funds. This funding will continue to support several programs HSEC-OHS has implemented, including the Local Rental Subsidy Program and Housing Our Youth. In addition, today’s actions also request the Board authorize a transfer of one percent of the County HHAP-5 award to RTFH, to administer the HMIS database.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s actions support the County of San Diego 2024-2029 Strategic Plan initiatives of Sustainability (Resiliency), Equity (Housing & Economic Opportunity), and Community (Quality of Life) by sustaining initiatives that reduce and eliminate poverty and increase availability of programs and resources for individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness through increased availability of programs and resources.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: HHAP-5 Joint Application - Regionally Coordinated Homeless Action Plan