REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 17, 2024
FROM
JEANY ZEPEDA, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Transitional Housing Program Round 6 and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program Round 3 Joint Allocation Award Acceptance
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, for the County Allocation Award under Round 6 of the Transitional Housing Program in the initial amount of $1,605,702, for a two-year period.
2. Approve and authorize the submission of an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, for the County Allocation Award under Round 3 of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program in the amount of $1,174,665 for a two-year period.
3. Adopt a Resolution that authorizes:
a. Submission of an application for the County Allocation Award under Round 6 of the Transitional Housing Program in the initial amount of $1,605,702, for the two-year period beginning upon execution of a Standard Agreement.
b. Acceptance of the County Allocation Award under Round 6 of the Transitional Housing Program in the amount of $1,605,702, up to a total amount of $3,211,404 based upon available remaining funding, for the two-year period beginning upon execution of a Standard Agreement.
c. Submission of an application for the County Allocation Award under Round 3 of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program in the amount of $1,174,665 for the two-year period beginning upon execution of a Standard Agreement.
d. Acceptance of the County Allocation Award under Round 3 of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program in the amount of $1,174,665, up to a total amount of $2,349,330 based upon available remaining funding, for the two-year period beginning upon execution of a Standard Agreement.
e. The Director of Children and Family Services to act on behalf of the County in connection with the Transitional Housing Program Allocation Award and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program Allocation Award, and execute, and deliver the Standard Agreement and any non-substantive amendments, as required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, subject to review by County Counsel.
(Presenter: Jeany Zepeda, Director, 387-2792)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
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
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Acceptance of the Transitional Housing Program (THP) Round 6 Allocation Award of $1,605,702, and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) Round 3 Allocation Award of $1,174,665, will provide the County with an initial total of $2,780,367, which is 100% State General Funds. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Human Services Administrative Claim 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Budget Act of 2024 requires HCD to allocate funding to counties for the purpose of housing stability to help young adults ages 18 through 24 secure and maintain housing, with priority given to young adults formerly in the foster care or probation systems. All the funds will be administered by Children and Family Services (CFS).
Pursuant to Chapter 11.7 of the Health and Safety Code, HCD consulted with the Department of Social Services, the Department of Finance, and the County Welfare Directors Association to develop a formula allocation schedule for the purpose of distributing these funds to counties. Pursuant to the Budget Act of 2024, the allocation is based on each county’s percentage of the total statewide number of young adults ages 18 through 24 in foster care and homeless unaccompanied young adults ages 18 through 24, excluding those counties that could not demonstrate need.
A county that accepts an allocation of funds is required to provide training to its child welfare agency social workers and probation officers who serve non-minor dependents. The training is to describe the social worker’s and probation officer’s role in identifying unstable housing situations for youth and referring youth to housing assistance programs; provide an overview of the housing resources available; and how to refer young adults and families to housing resources.
CFS will use the THP funds to help young adults, ages 18 through 24, secure and maintain housing with priority given to young adults formerly in the state’s foster care or probation systems. CFS anticipates providing services to 48 qualified young adults at a per capita cost of $32,034. Qualified young adults are individuals that demonstrate a willingness to participate in program activities such as attending classes that teach living skills, continuing education and securing employment. The use of funds may include, but is not limited to:
1. Identification of and assistance with housing services for this population in the County.
2. Assistance in securing and maintaining housing, including assistance with rent, utilities, furniture, and household items, as needed (with priority given to those currently or formerly in the foster care or probation system).
3. Improvement of coordination among various services and linkages to community resources within the child welfare system and the Homeless Continuum of Care.
4. Facilitation of engagement in outreach, targeting services to those with the most severe needs.
CFS will use the HNMP funds for housing specialists (called housing navigators), who will assist the County’s young adults, ages 18 through 24, with efforts to locate available housing and overcome barriers to obtaining housing. CFS anticipates providing services to 100 qualified young adults at a per capita cost of $11,843. Housing navigation and maintenance activities may focus on providing assistance to young adults in securing and maintaining housing with priority access given to those in the state’s foster care system. CFS will leverage other funding, including Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention and Family Unification Program to provide resources including hard goods, rent, deposits, and services to help stabilize the participant.
Upon receipt of the THP Round 6 and HNMP Round 3 allocation of funds, as well as for any additional allocation of funds, CFS will return to the Board of Supervisors for approval of the allocation award agreement(s).
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on October 24, 2024; County Counsel (Daniella V. Hernandez, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 7, 2024; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on November 25, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on December 2, 2024.