REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 16, 2021
FROM
MARLENE HAGEN, Director, Children and Family Services
SUBJECT
Title
Allocation Acceptance Application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Housing Navigators Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of an Allocation Acceptance Application form to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Housing Navigators Program to provide housing support to eligible young adults, in the amount of $363,680, effective upon execution through June 30, 2024.
2. Adopt Resolution for the Housing Navigators Program authorizing the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer of Department Operations, or Director of Children and Family Services to execute and submit the Allocation Acceptance Application form and all documents on behalf of the County and subject to review by County Counsel, required to submit the Allocation Acceptance Application form for this allocation of funds, including any additional allocation of funds, as required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
(Presenter: Marlene Hagen, 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). The Allocation Acceptance Application form for the Housing Navigators Program (HNP) in the amount of $363,680 to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (State) does not require a match.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The State is providing a second round of HNP allocations to counties in order to assist young adults in securing and maintaining housing. HNP allocation amounts are based on each county’s percentage of the statewide number of young adults aged 18 to 21. Children and Family Services (CFS) will utilize the HNP allocation to provide housing services to eligible young adults, with priority given to young adults in the foster care system. HNP services will be provided by existing CFS staff currently performing these types of services or by contract providers to be selected through a competitive procurement process.
HNP funds housing navigators for county child welfare agencies. The role of the housing navigator is to act as a housing specialist to assist young adults aged 18 to 21 in overcoming barriers to locating available housing. Activities may include, but are not limited to:
• Assist in securing and maintain housing, with priority given to those in the foster care system;
• Provide housing case management that includes essential services in emergency supports to foster youth;
• Prevent young adults from becoming homeless; and
• Improve coordination of services and linkages to community resources within the child welfare system and the Homeless Continuum of Care.
On May 19, 2020 (Item No. 30), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the submission of an allocation acceptance application to the State for the first round of HNP funding, in the amount of $363,680, effective upon execution through June 30, 2023. In addition, this item adopted Resolution No. 2020-48, as required by the State, authorizing the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer of Human Services, or CFS Director to execute and submit the allocation acceptance application and all documents required to be awarded the allocation.
On April 6, 2021 (Item No. 18), the Board approved the allocation award agreement, County Agreement No. 21-268 (State Agreement No. 19-HNP-14139), from the State for the first round of HNP funding, in the amount of $363,680, effective upon execution by all parties through June 30, 2023. In addition, this item authorized the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer of Human Services, or CFS Director to execute and submit any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the allocation award agreement on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
On June 8, 2021 (Item No. 35), the Board adopted Resolution No. 2021-107, as required by the State, to receive additional first round unallocated HNP funds in an anticipated amount of $31,004 and authorized the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer of Human Services, or CFS Director to execute and submit the allocation acceptance application, on behalf of the County. On June 21, 2021, the State informed CFS that an additional unallocated amount of $284 was available and would be included with the amended HNP allocation award agreement.
On October 5, 2021 (Item No. 21), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to the allocation award agreement, County Agreement No. 21-268 (State Agreement No.19-HNP-14139 A-1), from the State for additional first round HNP funding, increasing the amount by $31,288, from $363,680 to $394,968, for the period of April 20, 2021 through June 30, 2023. In addition, this item authorized the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer of Department Operations, or CFS Director to execute and submit any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the allocation award agreement on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
Approval of this item will allow CFS to submit the required Allocation Acceptance Application form to the State in order to receive the second round of HNP funding in the amount of $363,680 through June 30, 2024. In addition, this item will adopt a Resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Officer of Department Operations, or CFS Director to execute and submit the Allocation Acceptance Application form and all documents for the allocation of funds, as required by the State, on behalf of the County and subject to review by County Counsel. The documents were received from the State on October 15, 2021, and originally due by November 12, 2021, however CFS received an extension to November 23, 2021. Upon receipt of the HNP allocation of funds, as well as for any additional allocation of funds, CFS will return to the Board for approval of the allocation award agreement(s).
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 26, 2021; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on October 26, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on October 26, 2021.