San Bernardino header
File #: 11763   
Type: Consent Status: Passed
File created: 3/3/2025 Department: Community Development and Housing Department
On agenda: 3/11/2025 Final action: 3/11/2025
Subject: Budget Adjustment for Emergency Homelessness Assistance Funding
Attachments: 1. Item #15 Executed BAI

REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

AND RECORD OF ACTION

 

                                          March 11, 2025

 

FROM

CARRIE HARMON, Director, Community Development and Housing Department

         

SUBJECT                      

Title                     

Budget Adjustment for Emergency Homelessness Assistance Funding

 

End

 

RECOMMENDATION(S)

Recommendation

Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post necessary budget adjustments to the Community Development and Housing Department’s 2024-25 budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact section, for the provision of emergency homelessness assistance (Four votes required).

(Presenter: Carrie Harmon, Director, 382-3983)

Body

 

COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Promote the Countywide Vision.

Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.

Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.

Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The requested budget adjustment will allow for the provision of emergency homelessness assistance, in an amount not to exceed $1,358,610. This assistance will be funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The following adjustments to the Community Development and Housing Department (CDH) and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) 2024-25 budgets are requested:

 

Cost Center

Commitment Item/GL

Description

Actions

Amount

6210002482

40509094

Federal - Grants

Increase

$1,358,610

6210002482

55405018

Internal Cost Allocation Out

Increase

$33,272

6210002482

55305030

Operating Transfers Out

Increase

$1,325,338

6210001000

40909975

Operating Transfers In

Increase

$1,325,338

6210001000

53003205

Public Assistance

Increase

$1,325,338

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CDH administers ESG funding through non-profit providers and other County departments to provide homeless services, such as emergency shelter, street outreach, rapid rehousing, and homeless prevention. These federal ESG funds are part of CDH’s annual allocation of Community Planning and Development Grant funds. The recommended budget adjustment will bolster funding for emergency housing and services addressing the unsheltered population throughout the county. This adjustment will utilize reallocated ESG funding, the use of which was authorized by HUD on December 4, 2024.

 

CDH has partnered with OHS through a memorandum of understanding and has developed an expenditure plan to augment and support OHS’s homeless encampment response efforts. These efforts encompass a comprehensive approach, including:

 

                     Homeless encampment mapping: To better understand the scope and location of encampments.

                     Outreach services: To engage individuals experiencing homelessness and connect them with resources.

                     Emergency housing: To provide immediate shelter and stability.

                     Case management: To offer individualized support and coordinate services.

                     Medical care, substance use services, and behavioral health care: To address the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.

                     Housing navigation: To assist individuals in securing permanent housing.

                     Transportation: To facilitate access to services and housing opportunities.

 

Through this homeless encampment response initiative, CDH and OHS will improve the lives of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. OHS, with its committed Homeless Assistance team and network of local service providers, will utilize these funds to deliver assistance to an estimated 400 individuals residing in encampments across the county.

 

PROCUREMENT

Not applicable.

 

REVIEW BY OTHERS

This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 23, 2025; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Mima Ugbo, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-3035) on January 23, 2025; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on January 28, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on January 28, 2025.