SUBJECT
Title
UPDATING AUTHORITY FOR THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, SHELTER AND SERVICES PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On February 27, 2024 (13), the Board of Supervisors (Board) accepted a report titled “Concept Paper and Advocacy Plan for a Long-Term Migrant Transfer Site and Respite Shelter,” and authorized the Interim Chief Administrative Officer to apply for any grant funds and/or allocations for migrant sheltering and services that provide funding in advance of services performed.
On March 23, 2024, the U.S. Congress passed its second “minibus” appropriations package (H.R. 2882) containing the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 spending bills. H.R. 2882 included approximately $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending for FY 2024, which included $640.9 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The SSP Program is intended to provide funding to non-federal entities to temporarily provide shelter, food, transportation, acute medical care, personal hygiene supplies, and labor necessary to support migrants recently released from DHS custody.
On April 12, 2024, FEMA released its FY 2024 SSP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) wherein the County of San Diego was named as an eligible applicant for an award of up to $19,592,554 in FY 2024 SSP-A funding. The County of San Diego applied for this funding on April 25, 2024.
Today’s action provides new direction to the Interim Chief Administrative Officer to immediately begin implementation of this Board’s vision for a long-term migrant transfer site and respite shelter as outlined in the Board’s previously approved Concept Paper. Specifically, today’s actions direct the Interim Chief Administrative Officer (ICAO) to return to the Board on May 21, 2024 with a request to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve, to the extent reserves are available, upon a determination by the ICAO that such appropriation promotes the long-term fiscal health and stability of the County and until FEMA SSP funding has been received to implement the vision as outlined in the Board’s previously approved concept paper and to apply for any grant funds and/or allocations for migrant sheltering and services, but without the requirement that funding be in advance of services performed. Together, these actions will ensure our ability to quickly implement our vision as outlined in the Concept Paper and to provide a humane and compassionate resource for migrants passing through the San Diego region.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHAIRWOMAN NORA VARGAS AND SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON
1. Direct the Interim Chief Administrative Officer to move forward with programming efforts to temporarily provide shelter, food, transportation, acute medical care, personal hygiene supplies, and labor necessary to support migrants recently released from DHS custody while pursing FEMA FY 2024 Shelter and Services Program.
2. Direct the ICAO to return on May 21, 2024 with a request to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve, to the extent reserves are available, upon a determination by the ICAO that such appropriation promotes the long-term fiscal health and stability of the County.
3. Pursuant to Board Policy B-29, authorize the Interim Chief Administrative Officer, or
their designee, to apply for any grant funds and/or allocations for migrant sheltering and
services.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
As permitted by U.S. law, migrants seeking asylum are coming to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families. The number of migrants passing through San Diego County and onto their final destination has steadily increased. To address the increase, the County of San Diego relied on its values as a welcoming and binational community to invest in a centralized migrant intake center to provide migrants with information to continue their journey, food, and other basic support services. In the absence of federal funding, the Board approved a concept paper and advocacy plan to demonstrate how the County can humanely and compassionately provide an important resource for migrants passing through San Diego region.
To create the concept paper, the County actively communicated and engaged with the federal government, the state government, and many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing critical aid and services to asylum seekers. NGOs include Jewish Family Service, SBCS, Casa Familiar, and the fiscal agent for federal SSP funding in San Diego County, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego. The County’s work with these organizations allowed the County to understand and appreciate how migrants passing through San Diego County are fleeing violence, political persecution, and trauma. All persons, regardless of where one lives, or immigration status, deserve dignity and our respect.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
As a proud binational community, San Diego is the first point of entry into the United States for many who are seeking asylum. Today’s action implements a long-term and sustainable plan for migrant transition center(s). By providing the coordination and resources up front, in advance of federal funding, we can quickly accomplish our vision as outlined in the previously approved concept paper and ensure those seeking asylum have food, clothing, other basic needs, and the information they need to reach their final destination.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. However, there will be future fiscal impacts associated with the recommendations for which staff will return to the Board for consideration and approval. Most importantly, funds for this request are not included in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operational Plan for the Health and Human Services Agency. There will be no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
On February 27, 2024 (13), the Board of Supervisors (Board) accepted a report titled “Concept Paper and Advocacy Plan for a Long-Term Migrant Transfer Site and Respite Shelter,” and authorized the Interim Chief Administrative Officer to apply for any grant funds and/or allocations for migrant sheltering and services that provide funding in advance of services performed.
On March 23, 2024, the U.S. Congress passed its second “minibus” appropriations package (H.R. 2882) containing the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 spending bills. H.R. 2882 included approximately $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending for FY 2024, which included $640.9 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The SSP Program is intended to provide funding to non-federal entities to temporarily provide shelter, food, transportation, acute medical care, personal hygiene supplies, and labor necessary to support migrants recently released from DHS custody.
On April 12, 2024, FEMA released its FY 2024 SSP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) wherein the County of San Diego was named as an eligible applicant for an award of up to $19,592,554 in FY 2024 SSP-A funding. The County of San Diego applied for this funding on April 25, 2024, and expects to receive these funds beginning in May 2024.
The County of San Diego is one of 55 eligible applicants across the nation identified for this round of FY 2024 SSP-A funding. The funding is intended to increase capacity to temporarily shelter migrants recently released from DHS custody, including renovations and modifications to existing facilities. Per the federal guidance, and new for this year, FEMA may allow for advanced-based funding in addition to reimbursement-based funding under this award.
Today’s action provides new direction to the Interim Chief Administrative Officer to immediately begin implementation of this Board’s vision for a long-term migrant transfer site and respite shelter as outlined in the Board’s previously approved Concept Paper. Specifically, today’s action direct the Interim Chief Administrative Officer (ICAO) to return to the Board on May 21, 2024 with a request to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve, to the extent reserves are available, upon a determination by the ICAO that such appropriation promotes the long-term fiscal health and stability of the County and until FEMA SSP funding has been received and to apply for any grant funds and/or allocations for migrant sheltering and services, but without the requirement that funding be in advance of services performed. Together, the actions today will ensure our ability to accomplish our vision as outlined in the Concept Paper and to quickly provide a humane and compassionate resource for migrants passing through the San Diego region.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support the Community (Partnership and Safety) and Sustainability
(Economy) Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by working with
our regional partners and other levels of government to implement a sustainable plan to support
our communities and those seeking asylum in our country.
Respectfully submitted,
NORA VARGAS JOEL ANDERSON
Chairwoman, First District Supervisor, Second District
ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A