REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 25, 2025
FROM
Marcus Dillard, Chief of Homeless Services, Office of Homeless Services
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application for the 2024 - 2027 State Emergency Solutions Grant Program, Continuum of Care Allocation from the California Department of Housing and Community Development
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve grant application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the 2024 - 2027 State Emergency Solutions Grant Program, Continuum of Care Allocation, in an amount up to $1,248,208, by the Office of Homeless Services, as the Administrative Entity for the San Bernardino City and County Continuum of Care.
2. Adopt Resolution Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and any Amendments thereto from the 2024 - 2027 Funding Years of the State Emergency Solutions Grant Program, as required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, for the Continuum of Care Allocation.
3. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer, or the Chief of the Office of Homeless Services to execute and submit the grant application and related documents, subsequent amendments, and other necessary supporting documentation, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Chief of Homeless Services to transmit the grant application and any subsequent amendments to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Marcus Dillard, Chief of Homeless Services, 501-0644)
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 any Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) requires a 100% match. The match will be met through both the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) non-federal funds, specifically from the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program, and contracted service providers through the provision of in-kind services. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the ESG CoC program with funding received from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Approval of this item will authorize OHS, as the designated Administrative Entity for the San Bernardino City and County Continuum of Care (CoC), to submit an application for the 2024 State allocation of ESG CoC funds made available through the 2024 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), released on December 31, 2024. While funds are allocated to the CoC annually, HCD requires that an application be submitted upon release of the NOFA.
OHS is responsible for administering the ESG CoC funding on behalf of and in collaboration with the San Bernardino City and County CoC. The County’s designation as the Administrative Entity (AE) was approved by the CoC on January 22, 2025.
A Resolution is required by HCD for approval of the grant application and, if awarded, the resulting agreement, and to designate persons authorized to execute and submit documents related to the application, agreement, amendments, fund requests, reporting forms, environmental review documents, and administration of the 2024 - 2027 State ESG CoC funds. The estimated award for the 2024 State ESG CoC is $1,248,208. HCD recommends that the Resolution be written for twice the estimated award should additional funds become available. Therefore, the Resolution is for $2,496,416. Should funds become available to increase the initial allocation, HCD will notify the County of the parameters for additional funding. If additional funds are awarded, OHS will return to the Board to accept the funds.
HCD will issue one ESG NOFA every three years, covering all three years of HUD funding in one application and the Standard Agreement. The funding will be divided into three Annual Funding Cycles: 2024 - 2026 (initial contract), 2025 - 2027 (amendment), and 2026 - 2028 (amendment). A new budget will be required, for each cycle, along with updates to the Resolution, award identification, and signed acceptance. For the San Bernardino City and County CoC, the estimated funding for each cycle is as follows: the total estimated allocation is $1,248,208, distributed across three cycles: Cycle #1 (2024 - 2026) with $434,384, Cycle #2 (2025 - 2027) with $406,912, and Cycle #3 (2026 - 2028) with $406,912. The initial Annual Funding Cycle has an expenditure period of 21 months instead of the regular 24 months.
OHS is recommending the distribution of funds in the application for the 2024 State allocation of ESG CoC funds made available through the 2024 NOFA as follows:
|
Eligible Activity |
2024 ESG CoC |
|
Emergency Shelter Cost |
$611,622 |
|
Rapid Rehousing Cost |
$499,283 |
|
HMIS Cost |
$124,821 |
|
Administrative Cost |
$12,482 |
|
Total |
$1,248,208 |
The 2024 ESG CoC funds will continue to support the County’s goal of reducing homelessness. Funding is allocated as follows: 49% is dedicated to Emergency Shelter, 40% to Rapid Rehousing, 10% to Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and 1% to Administrative Costs (as per the NOFA). The state ESG CoC funding will support the goals and strategies of the County’s Homeless Strategic Action Plan.
The proposed three-year ESG CoC funds are designed to address the immediate needs of the county's homeless population while also laying the foundation for long-term housing stability. A significant portion of the budget, $611,622, will be allocated toward the establishment of both a cold weather and a warm weather emergency shelter. These shelters are urgently needed in our community to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness have access to safe, secure, and dignified temporary housing during extreme weather conditions. The cold weather shelter will operate during the colder months, providing warmth and safety, while the warm weather shelter will serve as a vital resource during the summer, protecting individuals from heat-related risks and ensuring their well-being year-round. Both shelters can provide the necessary services to meet the growing demand in our area. It is anticipated that approximately 250 individuals will be served under the Emergency Shelter program.
In addition, $499,283 will be allocated to our Rapid Rehousing program, a key initiative aimed at helping individuals transition out of emergency shelters and secure permanent housing. This program will provide rental assistance, housing search support, and case management services to help individuals and families move quickly from homelessness into stable, long-term housing. By focusing on rapid rehousing, the program will reduce the time spent in shelters and help individuals regain self-sufficiency by providing them with the resources needed to secure and maintain housing. . The Rapid Rehousing program will also connect participants with community services that support their overall well-being, including employment support, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. It is anticipated that approximately 100 individuals will be served under Rapid Rehousing.
A critical investment in technology costing $124,821 will enhance our Homeless HMIS. This system plays an essential role in tracking client data, program performance, and housing outcomes, ensuring that we can make data-driven decisions and provide efficient services. The HMIS system allows for seamless coordination among service providers and ensures that resources are allocated effectively. This investment will cover the costs of system upgrades, staff training, and ongoing technical support, ensuring that the system remains efficient and secure throughout the program's duration.
Lastly, $12,482 will be allocated for administrative costs, which include direct staffing, reporting, compliance monitoring, and other program oversight costs to ensure the effective and accountable use of ESG funding. This comprehensive and strategically planned budget will allow OHS to provide immediate relief to individuals in crisis while offering a sustainable path to long-term housing stability.
HCD is expected to announce grant awards by July 2025. Upon award of an allocation, OHS will return to the Board of Supervisors to accept the grant award and approve the grant agreement with the established award amount.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 6, 2025, Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on March 7, 2025, and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on March 10, 2025.