Agenda

Return

C. 36

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services
Date:	October 8, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2019-2021 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 10/08/2019

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, 925-681-6304
cc:	Nelly Ige Sam Mendoza

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: October 8, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with the California Department of Community Services and Development to pay the County an amount not to exceed $2,099,274 for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs for the period October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This grant is 100% funded with federal dollars passed through California Department of Community Services and Development. The CFDA number is 93.568, and no County match is required.
The state agreement number is 20B-2005; County agreement number is 39-806-42.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, County may not receive funding to operate LIHEAP.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 27 years wherein the County provides energy bill assistance payments and weatherization services to county residents who are income-eligible to receive said services. The funding sources include Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), and the Department of Energy (DOE), the Low Income Weatherization Program (ILIWP) and the Toilet Retrofit Program (TRP).

The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) partners with the County Department of Conservation and Development to provide energy saving home improvements to low-income families throughout unincorporated Contra Costa County, as well as the County’s nineteen cities.

The energy savings measures may provide homes with hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, fluorescent light bulbs, weather stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. Homes receive a blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration), and homes with gas appliances receive a combustion appliance safety test that checks for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.

This funding also includes the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) where residents of the County can qualify for a credit on their energy bills.

Both programs use income based eligibility. The income levels are based on the Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Poverty Guidelines. Once eligibility is determined, clients with no hot water, no heat, or are in danger of having their power shut off are served as emergencies. Service is then based on clients with the lowest income, highest energy burden and families with at least one resident who is considered vulnerable population. Contract no yet approved as to form by County Counsel.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Employment and Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau energy program supports one Contra Costa County community outcome - Outcome #4: "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing." This outcome is supported by the provision of home energy assistance to keep households warm in winter and to increase household energy efficiency.