Agenda

Return

C. 59

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services
Date:	September 12, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2017 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Funding, Amendment 2

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/12/2017

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: September 12, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment & Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with California Department of Community Services and Development to increase the payment limit by $430,949 to the new payment limit of $3,759,223 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program with no change to term October 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The County receives U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) LIHEAP funding as a pass through from the State Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). On June 14, 2017, CSD received the final 2017 Notice of Award from DHHS, which resulted in an increase of $430,949 in the County's 2017 LIHEAP contract #17B-3005. No County match is required. The total contract amount of $3,759,223 includes $1,919,102 of funds that are paid directly to County clients by the State.

BACKGROUND:

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

The Employment & 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.

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

Both programs use income based eligibility. The income levels are based on the Federal Fiscal Year 2016 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 emergency cases. Priority of 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.

The Board approved receipt of funds for the 2016-17 program year on October 18, 2016 (C.53). The Board approved an amendment to this agreement on March 21, 2017 (C.37) to include additional funds and provisions for installing and replacing solar water heaters in homes. This Board order is to accept additional funds for this agreement.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, County may not receive additional 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.