Agenda

Return

C. 53

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Date:	June 7, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2021 Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/07/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

CSB (925) 681-6389

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 7, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2022/206 to approve and authorize the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to accept funding in the amount of $376,446 and execute an agreement with the California Department of Community Services and Development for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program for the period April 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023.

FISCAL IMPACT:

County to receive total funding in the amount of $376,446. Revenue is 100% Federal funds through the California Department of Community Services and Development, State Agreement Number 21W-9002. No County match is required. CFDA # 93.499.

BACKGROUND:

On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released funding to implement the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) under the consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260, Section 533) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2, Section 2912), which were signed into law on December 27, 2020 and March 11, 2021, respectively.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

On April 11, 2022, the County received the LIHWAP agreement from the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) to administer the water bill assistance payments to eligible county residents who are struggling to make water, wastewater, and/or storm water payments prior to and/or during the COVID-19 pandemic and through the duration of the agreement. Government Code Section 12087.2 prioritizes households with arrearages and establishes regular reporting to the Legislature regarding program implementation and progress with LIHWAP service delivery and grant expenditure. To comply with statutory requirements, the LIHWAP agreement incorporates specific provisions for quarterly reporting and eligibility requirements placing an emphasis on assisting households with the payment of past due balances for residential water and wastewater services.

Contra Costa County is allocated a total of $1,989,789; however, Employment and Human Services Department will only receive the funds for administrative and program support funds in the amount of $376,446. The funds for direct services to eligible Contra Costa County residents will be held by CSD in the amount of $1,613,343 for the purpose of issuing the payment of household LIHWAP assistance to water service providers through CSD's third-party funds disbursement partner, HORNE. Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department will be responsible in administering the program and determining eligibility to residents of Contra Costa County.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, residents, who struggle to make water, wastewater, and/or storm water payments, will have a disconnection of services. This funding provides payment assistance and access to safe and affordable drinking water and wastewater services which is a fundamental element of health.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The LIHWAP funding supports one of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: #4 "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing" through the provision of water assistance to keep households with running water.