FISCAL IMPACT:
No General Fund impact. All funds are provided to the County on a formula basis through the State of California. The State ESG funds are allocated to the State by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and then distributed to eligible local Administrative Entities. Contra Costa County is an eligible Administrative Entity. The preliminary estimated State ESG formula allocation is $290,527; however, additional funds may become available from disencumbered expired ESG contracts. Application instructions from the State recommend listing an approved dollar amount that is at least double the formula allocation, or $581,054, in order to receive additional funds if they become available. The attached table of recommended State ESG allocations includes only the preliminary estimated amount. A portion of the funds are reserved for program administration in the County's Department of Conservation and Development.
BACKGROUND:
This action was approved by the Board at its August 7, 2018 meeting, but there was an error in the structure of the opening sentence of the resolution. This action corrects the error.
The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development allocates State Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds to Continuum of Care (CoC) geographic areas. (CoC is a program through which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strives to end homelessness. The County’s Health, Housing and Homeless Services manages the CoC for Contra Costa.) The County Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) is the Administrative Entity for the State ESG funds and is required to collaborate with the CoC.
ESG funds activities that (1) engage homeless individuals and families who are living on the street, (2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families, (3) help operate shelters, (4) provide essential services to shelter residents, (5) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and (6) prevent families/individuals from becoming homeless.
To apply for an allocation of State ESG funds, the County Board of Supervisors must approve a resolution authorizing and affirming the following: 1) that the funds will be used in a manner consistent with all applicable laws, regulations and contracts regarding the ESG Program; 2) that the County will receive ESG grant funds in an amount not to exceed $581,054; 3) that the ESG grant funds will be used for eligible activities; and 4) that the DCD Director and CDBG Program Manager are authorized to execute a Standard Agreement for ESG funds and related documents.
The Contra Costa Council on Homelessness (COH) is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and serves as the County’s CoC. It provides advice and input on the operations of homeless services and program operations, establishes the local process for applying for various programs, including ESG. Per Federal and State regulations, DCD staff consulted with the COH at its July 12, 2018 meeting. The COH reviewed and supported the attached staff allocation recommendations. The County has participated in this program since 2016.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not be able to apply for and receive State ESG funds in an amount not to exceed $581,054 if the Board does not approve the resolution.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Programs and activities funded with State ESG support one or more of the following children's outcomes:
(1) Children Ready for and Succeeding in School;
(2) Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood;
(3) Families that are Economically Self Sufficient;
(4) Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and
(5) Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.