Agenda

Return

C. 38

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services
Date:	March 27, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2017 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Funding, Amendment 4

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/27/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

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

ABSENT:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor

Contact:	CSB, 925-681-6334
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: March 27, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with the California Department of Community Services and Development to extend the term end date from March 31, 2018 to December 31, 2018 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program with no change to the payment limit of $4,315,658.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact. The amendment extends the term of the contract.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County (County) has received funding from the California Department of Community Services and Development for 25 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), the Department of Energy (DOE), Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) and the Toilet Retrofit Program (TRP).

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

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 saving measures may be the provision of hot water heaters, furnaces, refrigerators, microwaves, doors, windows, fluorescent light bulbs, weather stripping, ceiling fans, and attic insulation. A blower door test (a diagnostic tool to locate and correct air infiltration) is conducted on homes, and combustion appliance safety tests are conducted on homes with gas appliances to check for carbon monoxide gas leakage. Homes with gas appliances are provided with a carbon monoxide alarm.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) funding allows low income County residents to qualify for a credit on their energy bills.

Once eligibility is determined, the top priority is clients with no hot water, no heat, or are in danger of having their power shut off, then clients are prioritized by those with the lowest income, highest energy burden and families with at least one resident who is considered to be a member of a vulnerable population.

The Board approved receipt of funds for the 2016-17 program year on October 18, 2016 (C.53). Since then, the Board has approved the following three three amendments to the agreement: 1) March 21, 2017 (C.37) to include additional funds and provisions for installing and replacing solar water heaters in homes; 2) September 12, 2017 (C.59) to receive additional funds; and 3) November 7, 2017 (C.44) to receive additional funds. This action is to approve a fourth amendment to extend the term end date by nine months to December 31, 2018.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, the operation of the LIHEAP program will end on March 31, 2018.

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.