HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - T. BELTON

Adopt Resolution approving and authorizing submission of the HOMEKEY 2.0 grant application in the amount not to exceed $2,750,000.00; authorize the HHSA Director or Deputy Director to accept the grant, if awarded, enter into and execute the grant agreement and any subsequent amendments with the State of California.

SBC FILE NUMBER: 130

RESOLUTION NO: 2022-6

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)  announced the availability of approximately $1.45 billion of Homekey Program (Homekey 2.0) grant funding through the Round 2 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). This significant investment is a statewide effort to sustain and rapidly expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness or At Risk of Homelessness, and who are, thereby, inherently impacted by or at increased risk for medical diseases or conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible jurisdictions have an opportunity to expand housing types, including but not limited to hotels, motels, hostels, single-family homes and multi-family apartments, adult residential facilities, and manufactured housing, and to convert commercial properties and other existing buildings to Permanent or Interim Housing for the Target Population.

HHSA, Community Services & Workforce Development (CSWD) is submitting a Homekey 2.0 application for Phase ll Transitional Housing at the Migrant Center. Phase l was funded by the Coalition of Homeless Service Providers (CHSP) with the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant in the amount of $1,100,000. Phase I included infrastructure costs for utilities, drainage, sewer connections, site work and the construction of 5 housing units (1, 400 sf.; 3, 600 sf.; & 1, 800 sf.). The project for both phases include 16 total housing units.

Phase ll will include the construction of the additional 11 units. The goal is to reduce homelessness by providing a Transitional Housing Program targeting homeless families participating in the three-month emergency Winter Shelter Program. At the conclusion of the Winter Shelter Program, participating families will transition into the Transitional Housing Program for a period of 11-12 months. The overall goal is to have a transitional living experience that motivates and moves Participants into permanent and affordable housing at the conclusion of the program. The program will provide outreach, case management, emergency shelter, transitional housing, housing navigation, landlord engagement and supportive services to eligible homeless families. The services being provided allows for upfront engagement/outreach to homeless families in need of services. Staff will assess the client’s needs, work with each family to create a housing plan, identify supportive services, provide case management and others as deemed most appropriate. Supportive services will be provided through in-house programs or referrals to local service providers.

If an award is made for the proposed project, the State requires that funds must be expended within eight months of the date of the award. This eight month window poses many challenges. For this reason, HHSA has been in active discussions with Resource Management Agency (RMA) to begin the planning process including scope of the project, working on the bid packet, development of the budget, etc. The State did say that if there are delays beyond our control, then they will consider an extension. Even with an extension, there are other factors that may cause delays. One of the benefits to the proposed site is the fact that the project is shovel ready from the HEAP Phase l project which may assist with meeting the State timeline.