REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 28, 2023
FROM
DIANA ATKESON, Interim Director, Community Development and Housing Department
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing for the proposed HOME Investment Partnerships-American Rescue Plan Program Allocation Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Conduct a public hearing to obtain citizen comments on the proposed HOME Investment Partnerships-American Rescue Plan Program Allocation Plan as a Substantial Amendment to the Program Year 2021-22 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan.
2. Approve the HOME Investment Partnerships-American Rescue Plan Program Allocation Plan as a Substantial Amendment to the Program Year 2021-22 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan.
3. Direct the Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Executive Officer of Community Revitalization, or the Director of the Community Development and Housing Department to transmit all documents and amendments related to the Program Year 2021-22 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Annual Action Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Diana Atkeson, Interim Director, 382-3983)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
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). United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) federal block grant funding in the amount of $12,717,363 has been made available through the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, which has been allocated to San Bernardino County (County) through its HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) entitlement grant program. Adequate appropriation and revenue for the HOME-ARP program have been included in the Community Development and Housing (CDH) 2022-23 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Under the County’s current HUD Citizen Participation Plan, a Substantial Amendment to the County’s HUD Annual Action Plan is required when a new or significant revision to a currently or previously approved document occurs. This Substantial Amendment is an Allocation Plan of a one-time grant that was not previously listed or described in an Annual Action Plan. HUD has determined that the HOME-ARP Allocation will be an adjustment to the Program Year HUD 2021-22 Annual Action Plan and the HUD 2020-25 Consolidated Plan.
On January 25, 2022 (Item No. 18), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a written agreement with HUD to receive $12,717,363 in HOME-ARP funding to address the need for additional housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations. Details of the County’s Allocation Plan were not required at the time the grant was accepted. As part of accepting the funding, the County is required to provide an Allocation Plan detailing in which categories of activities the money will be invested.
The categories are established by HUD, with the County determining the categorical split through an extensive stakeholder involved process. This process included consultation, meetings, and conversations (including the collection and review of data) with organizations and agencies that serve the needs of the qualifying populations. The deadline to submit the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan to HUD is March 31, 2023.
CDH recommends funding be limited to two eligible activities:
• Development of Affordable Rental Housing
• Acquisition and Development of Non-Congregate Shelters
Under the HOME-ARP program, HUD has allowed up to 15 percent ($1,907,604) of the total HOME-ARP Allocation to be used to pay for eligible administration and planning activities.
The table below shows the available activities in the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and the recommended amount of funding to be approved in each, along with the total allocation awarded.
|
Available Activities |
Recommended Amount |
|
HOME-ARP Administration |
$1,907,604 |
|
Development of Affordable Rental Housing |
$6,485,855 |
|
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance |
$0 |
|
Supporting Services/Homeless Prevention Services/Housing Counseling |
$0 |
|
Acquisition and Development of Non-Congregate Shelters |
$4,323,904 |
|
Total Allocation |
$12,717,363 |
The categorical split of the funding was determined through a series of stakeholder meetings, interviews, and questionnaires, which identified these two categories as a priority. After removing the allowed 15% for administrative costs, the remaining funding was split as 60% for affordable housing and 40% for non-congregate shelters based on stakeholder feedback. Currently, no projects are currently associated with this funding. The Allocation Plan will be adjusted with the Board’s final direction and will be brought back for Board approval.
Once the Allocation Plan is approved, CDH will initiate the procurement process to select providers/developers for projects related to the plan activities. All activities supported with HOME-ARP funds support the HUD 2020-25 Consolidated Plan and the County’s Homeless Strategic Plan goals and objectives.
As required by HUD, the County must conduct a 15-day public comment period and public hearing and receive formal approval by the Board, prior to submitting the Allocation Plan to HUD. The 15-day public notice requirement provides an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Allocation Plan; requiring public notice to be published in a variety of communication outlets accessible to the public.
To meet these requirements, the County published a public notice in the following publications: Big Bear Grizzly, Daily Press, HI-Desert Star, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, La Prensa Hispana, and The Sun. The County also posted notices and any applicable supporting documentation on the County’s CDH website. The public comment period began on March 13, 2023, and will conclude once all comments are received at the March 28, 2023 Board meeting. Any comments received during today’s public hearing will be considered and included in the County’s Allocation Plan when submitting to HUD.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 13, 2023; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on March 13, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on March 13, 2023.