TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to submit a grant application, through the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the 2009 Continuum of Care for Homeless Assistance Program; and execute all necessary documents, sub-grants and any amendments changing the amount of the award or extending the grant term upon receipt of HUD funding. The Grant award amount will be between $5 million and $8 million, for a period of one to five years. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 1994, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, which rewards communities that work together to coordinate housing and supportive service programs for homeless persons. The driving force behind this effort is to encourage the development of a seamless strategy to aid individuals in the transition from homelessness to permanent housing. The CoC's primary objective is to assist homeless individuals and families to leave the streets, become stable, and achieve self-sufficiency to the maximum extent possible. The CoC system consists of the following components: 1) outreach and assessment, 2) emergency shelter, 3) supportive services, 4) transitional housing, and 5) permanent housing with and without supportive services. As part of the CoC, the community must demonstrate how all available funds and programs are used to augment CoC funds.
Available funds include, but are not limited to: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME funds, Section 8 federal funds, Public Housing funds, and other state, city, county, private, and foundation funds. The local Continuum of Care system leverages $24 million dollars in funds from other sources to promote a seamless service delivery model.
On August 19, 2008, the City Council approved the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to be the lead applicant for the 2008 CoC for Homeless Assistance Program. The Health Department was subsequently granted $6,036,220 to fund 33 renewal programs. Attached is a listing of agencies that will potentially be funded for annual renewal in the 2009 process as part of the City's funding application.
The City's· Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) will oversee the grant allocation process, should the City receive HUD approval. The funding priorities are based on the following HUD guidelines: to fund permanent housing exclusively serving chronically homeless single men and women, and to fund permanent housing for persons (individuals and families) with disabilities. HUD has moved away from funding new transitional housing or supportive services only projects.
The HSAC is requesting that the Health Department again be the lead grantee for 2009, and is recommending that the sub-grantees that were chosen through the 2008 Request for Proposal (RFP) process be utilized again for the 2009 application. As a result of this authorization, the Health Department will be responsible for compiling the application, which will include the proposed sub-grantees, for submission to HUD.
Upon award, the Health Department will monitor the performance of all program subgrantees to ensure compliance with federal and local grant requirements. The City's Department of Community Development, Housing Authority, will administer any Shelter Plus Care rental subsidies awarded.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on August 21, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on August 24, 2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 22, 2009 to allow the Health Department to begin the process of responding to the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the grant.
FISCAL IMPACT
If awarded, the grant is estimated to be between $4 and $7 million per year. Funding will be made available through HUD. An appropriation will be requested in the Health Fund (SR 130) and in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) through the Fiscal Year 10 budget process.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Vanessa Romain, Chair
Homeless Services Advisory Committee
By:
RONALD R. ARIAS
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |