TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager or designee, to submit a renewal grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for the 2023 Continuum of Care for Homeless Assistance Program; and
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and any amendments, including amendments to the amount of the award, with HUD to accept and expend grant funding in an estimated amount between $10,000,000 and $12,000,000, for the initial period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) has applied for Continuum of Care (CoC) grant funding since 1995 to fund programs and services to quickly stabilize individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The CoC grant funds the following components: 1) permanent housing; 2) supportive services; 3) transitional housing; and, 4) the Homeless Management Information System. In addition, the CoC grant funds administrative costs related to systemwide planning, Unified Funding Agency, and Multi-Service Center activities.
The CoC strategy must align with the City's Consolidated Plan and Housing Element components in relation to housing and services for special needs populations. Examples of leveraged community resources include, but are not limited to: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Veteran’s funding, and other State, City, and County funds. The local CoC system, combined with all its nonprofit partner agencies, currently provides approximately $1.9 million in matching funds to promote a seamless service delivery model that has been recognized both regionally and nationally.
Comprised of diverse community stakeholders, the Long Beach CoC Board oversees the grant renewal and allocation process, in collaboration with the CoC General Membership and the Health and Human Services Department’s (Health Department) Homeless Services Bureau. Attachment A includes a listing of agencies that are eligible to apply for annual renewal in the 2023 CoC Program process as part of the Health Department's funding application. Additional agencies may apply if they meet the eligibility thresholds outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, anticipated for late Summer/early Fall 2023.
Upon award notification from HUD, the Health Department will monitor the performance of all program sub-recipients to ensure compliance with federal and local grant requirements, and that performance standards and local objectives are met. The City's Housing Authority will administer the CoC Program's Rental Assistance projects.
For the 2023 CoC Homeless Assistance Program, the Health Department anticipates receiving between $10,000,000 to $12,000,000 from HUD. A City-match is required and is estimated to be approximately $500,000, based upon the current award amount. The City will meet this match obligation through the operation of the Multi-Service Center.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on February 21, 2023 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on March 3, 2023.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit into this recommendation as requested by the City Council on April 21, 2020. This recommendation will provide assistance to people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by providing services and resources to reduce and end homelessness if the Continuum of Care (CoC) grant funding is awarded to the City.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 21, 2023, to allow the Health Department to begin the process of responding to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the 2023 CoC Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Health Department anticipates receiving between $10,000,000 to $12,000,000 from HUD for the 2023 CoC Homeless Assistance Program. Appropriation in the amount of $6.6 million is currently budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. If the grant is awarded and exceeds current appropriation, the Health Department will return to the City Council with a request for appropriation, offset by grant revenues. A City-match of approximately $500,000 will be required, which the City will meet through the operation of the Multi-Service Center. Multi-Service Center operations are budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. Currently, 29 City employees facilitate the operations of the Multi-Service Center and 18 City employees provide grant management and oversight services. Sub-recipient contracts with 10 nonprofit agencies support jobs in Long Beach. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER