TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents, subcontracts, and any subsequent amendments, including any amendments to the award amount and term dates, with the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC), to receive and expend $13,188,443.25 for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 4 Program, Continuum of Care allocation, for the estimated period of June 15, 2023 through June 30, 2027, with the option to renew for one additional five-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $13,188,443.25. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 4 (HHAP-4) funding is authorized by Assembly Bill 140 (AB 140), which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 19, 2021. HHAP-4 is a $1 billion block grant program that provides local jurisdictions with flexible funding to continue efforts to end and prevent homelessness in their communities. This funding is intended to build on regional coordination developed through previous rounds of HCFC funding including the Homeless Emergency Aid Program, and HHAP Rounds 1, 2, and 3, to reduce and end homelessness. The total available HHAP-4 funding for the City of Long Beach (City) is $13,188,443.25.
This funding is spread across seven different eligible use categories, as outlined below. Please note that the Homeless Services Bureau may redistribute funds across applicable HHAP categories as budgetary needs change.
|
Eligible Use Category |
Goal |
Amount |
|
Rapid Rehousing |
Move families experiencing homelessness into stable permanent housing as quickly as possible and provide services and support that will assist the family in maintaining permanent housing. |
$1,839,788 |
|
Operating Subsidies |
Provide operating subsidies in new and existing affordable or supportive housing units, emergency shelters, and navigation centers. |
$5,875,450 |
|
Services Coordination |
Provide access to workforce, education, training programs, or other services needed to promote housing stability in supportive housing |
$329,711 |
|
Systems Support |
Create regional partnerships and maintain a homeless services and housing delivery system, particularly for vulnerable populations including families and homeless youth. |
$2,110,150 |
|
Delivery of Permanent Housing |
Connect individuals to permanent housing and support housing stability. |
$2,110,150 |
|
Administrative (Up to 7%) |
Support administrative costs incurred by the city/continuum of care to administer its program allocation. |
$923,191 |
|
Total All Categories |
|
$13,188,443 |
HHAP-4 funding will have a minimum of two funding disbursements. An initial disbursement of 50 percent of the City’s HHAP-4 funds after submitting the Standard Agreement and Request for Funds form, and the remaining 50 percent disbursement after demonstrating that the City has contractually obligated no less than 75 percent of the City’s Round 4 program allocation and has spent no less than 50 percent of the initial HHAP-4 disbursement by May 31, 2025.
The Homeless Services Bureau led strategic planning processes to assess how HHAP-4 funding will be utilized. Through this planning process, the following needs were identified to be programmed and delivered, utilizing HHAP-4 funds: Rapid Rehousing (including Rapid Rehousing for transitional age youth (TAY); Project Homekey (PHK) services and operations; Recuperative Care services and operations; affirming services for marginalized communities; mental health services; flexible funding for domestic violence programs; landlord engagement and recruitment activities; housing search and placement supports (i.e., Housing Navigation); and supports with developing, implementing, and managing an ongoing Lived Experience Advisory group to inform design of policies and programs within the Homeless Services Bureau. Based upon timing and priority needs when the HHAP-4 award is distributed, some of these items may be financed with additional funding to be released by the State.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on August 22, 2023 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on August 15, 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 the City by providing services and resources to reduce and end homelessness in Long Beach if HHAP 4 funding is awarded to the City.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 12, 2023 to receive and expend these funds to continue to provide these services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City’s total funding allocation from the HHAP-4 program will not exceed $13,188,443.25, for the estimated period of June 15, 2023, through June 30, 2027. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $13,188,443.25 in the Health Fund in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenues. Funding will support programs with clear pathways to connect people to resources, including permanent housing options, as well as administrative costs. Any indirect costs that might not ultimately be eligible for grant funds will be funded by the Health Operating Fund, General Fund, or other eligible funds. The grant has no match or in-kind service requirement. 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