Agenda

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C. 32

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services
Date:	December 15, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2016-17 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/15/2015

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

CSB, 925-681-6304

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: December 15, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment & Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract with California Department of Community Services and Development, including a modified indemnification language, to pay County an amount not to exceed $1,926,699 for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs for a term January 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% Federal funds (CFDA # 93.568) passed through
California Department of Community Services and Development

County match: $0

FISCAL IMPACT: (CONT'D)

State: 16B-4005 / CCC: 39-806-31

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County has received funding from the State Department of Community Services and Development for 20 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 county receives the money via the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD). EHSD, in turn, 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 2015 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.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

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

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Employment & 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.