To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Steve Potter, City Manager
Prepared By: Molly Rattigan, Assistant to the City Manager
TITLE:
Title
Acceptance of Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to: (1) execute all documents necessary to accept a grant from the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for the Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Program Round 3 in the amount of $96,387; and (2) approve the increase of revenue and expenditures budgets by $96,387 in the Non-Recurring General Fund, as documented in Budget Adjustment BE2201501.
Body
DISCUSSION:
The Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant Program Round 3 (HHAP)- is a $1 billion grant that provides local jurisdictions with flexible funding to continue efforts to end and prevent homelessness in their communities. Funds are awarded to the local Continuum of Care (CoC), since Napa’s CoC is not an independent financial entity, the CoC redirects the funds to another agency for a designated purpose. This is the first time the City of Napa has received HHAP funds, with the support of the local CoC. The City of Napa and the Housing Authority of the City of Napa are members of the Napa City-County CoC.
The allocation of HHAP funds in the amount of $96,386.93 are the initial portion of funds totaling $481,934.67 allocated to the CoC. The Continuum of Care has recommended the entirety of these funds be awarded to the City of Napa for three purposes in priority order: creation and funding of a robust homeless services diversion program, funding to continue Outreach Services due to the end of Whole Person Care, and dependent on funding, other homeless services needs determined at a later date.
Per the guidance from the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the initial allocation is to be prioritized for updated local homeless services plans, and therefore these funds will be allocated to implementing the first priority of the CoC-developing and investing in a robust diversion program that seeks to prevent or end a client’s instance of homelessness swiftly by providing urgent short-term assistance, reunification with family or friends or supporting short-term program needs. While the Napa City-County system has engaged in diversion activities, there is no formal program that is coordinated and consistent systemwide. The $96,386.93 in initial funds will be used to fund the start-up of a programs, including hiring a consultant to support the CoC in developing the program guidelines and processes.
The remaining $385,547.74 will be used to fund the ongoing operations of a diversion program as well as fund the street outreach function of the homeless services system. These funds will become available upon completion of grant related documents that must be submitted by June 30, 2022. Street outreach is currently funded by Whole Person Care, which ends on June 30, 2022. The City has other grant applications pending to also support street outreach and the amount needed from the HHAP Grant will be dependent on those awards.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
This item increases expenditures and revenue in the amount of $96,387 in the Non-Recurring General Fund due to the award of the first part of the Homeless, Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant. Funds will be used to launch a diversion program for the homeless services system, including a consultant to develop systemwide guidelines and policies and procedures.
CEQA:
The City Manager has determined that the Recommended Action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQ guideline Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Grant Award Letter
ATCH 2 - Budget Adjustment BE2201501
NOTIFICATION:
Continuum of Care Membership