REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 27, 2020
FROM
GARY HALLEN, Director, Community Development and Housing
SUBJECT
Title
State Emergency Solutions Grant Coronavirus Round 2 Application for Funding and Resolution Authorizing Community Development and Housing Department as the Administrative Entity
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve the submission of a grant application to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Emergency Solutions Grant Programs - Coronavirus Round 2 funding for services of homeless individuals and families to provide isolation and housing services in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.
2. Adopt Resolution certifying that the County of San Bernardino, Community Development and Housing Department is authorized to submit an application, receive an allocation and administer State Emergency Solutions Grants Program Coronavirus Round 2 funds on behalf of the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development as an Administrative Entity.
3. Designate the Community Development and Housing Agency Deputy Executive Officer or the Community Development and Housing Director as authorized to execute the grant application documents and perform other ministerial actions pertaining to the State Emergency Solutions Grant Program Coronavirus Round 2 funds, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Community Development and Housing Agency Deputy Executive Officer or the Community Development and Housing Director to transmit all documents in relation to this application to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Gary Hallen, Director, 387-4411)
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COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of any Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). It is anticipated that Community Development and Housing Department (CDH) will receive an estimated award of $3,000,000 from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) of Emergency Solutions Grants Program - Coronavirus Round 2 (ESG-CV2) funding.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The State HCD is seeking entities that can utilize the ESG-CV2 funds to further its efforts to address homelessness impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). CDH is requesting the Board of Supervisors (Board) to grant authority to Community Development and Housing Agency to submit the application to the State in order to receive the allocated ESG-CV2 funds for the County of San Bernardino (County) in the amount of $3,000,000. The funds are designated to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 by providing funding to: 1) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; 2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; 3) provide isolation and essential services to shelter residents; and 4) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street. In addition, these funds can assist with the rental assistance program already approved by the Board. If funding is awarded, a future item will be presented to the Board to accept the award, approve contracts with providers selected through the NOFA process and request necessary appropriation revenue adjustments.
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which identified funding for the Emergency Solutions Grants ESG Program to support preparation for, and response to, the community impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This allocation of ESG-CV2 funding is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and passed-thru to the County by HCD.
HCD issued its CARES Act Title XII, Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Round 2. As part of the process, HCD required the submission of an Authorizing Resolution to accompany the application within 2 weeks of the application deadline. The Application is due on October 28, 2020 no later than 5:00 p.m. PDT. The funding award will be identified by HCD on an over-the-counter basis in the order the applications are received, and all required documentation is submitted within the timelines provided.
If awarded, the funding will be utilized to prepare for and respond to the Coronavirus by providing homeless services to those impacted by COVID-19 and identified as being the most in need through the Coordinated Entry System (CES). Services will consist of all eligible funding activities deemed appropriate to serve homeless households to move to the safest locations possible with wrap around services. Rapid Rehousing and Emergency Shelter activities will be prioritized. The contracts for the selected service providers will be brought to the Board for consideration at a later date.
PROCUREMENT
No procurement is required for this action. Upon receipt of an award, CDH will issue a NOFA to select qualified providers to provide services. CDH will bring a future item to the Board to accept the grant award and approve contracts with providers selected through the NOFA process.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Robert F. Messinger, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-8979) on October 20, 2020; Finance (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on October 20, 2020; County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Officer 387-5423) on October 20, 2020.