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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 2010 Continuum of Care for Homeless Assistance Program; and execute all necessary documents, subgrants 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 $5.5 million and $7.5 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 City has applied for CoC funding since 1995, in an effort to support the assets of the Villages at Cabrillo and the Multi-Service Center which were acquired under the required homeless conveyance of the Base Realignment and Closure Act. Since 1995, HUD has awarded more than $50 million in Federal CoC grants in Long Beach to address homelessness. The driving force behind this effort is to encourage the development of a seamless strategy that aids individuals and families with children 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 selfsufficiency 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 a part of the CoC, the community must demonstrate how all available funds and programs are used to leverage CoC funds. The CoC strategy must align with the City's Consolidated Plan and Housing Element components in relation to poverty and homelessness. Examples of leveraged community resources include, but are not limited to: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME fun9s, Section 8 federal funds, Public Housing funds, and other state, city, county, private, and foundation funds. The local Continuum of Care system, combined with all of its nonprofit partner agencies, leverages $18 million dollars in funds from other sources to promote a seamless, effective service delivery model that has been recognized both regionally and nationally.
On September 22, 2009, the City Council approved the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to be the lead applicant for the 2009 CoC for Homeless Assistance Program. The Health Department was subsequently granted $5,987,650 to fund 30 renewal programs. Attachment 1 is a listing of agencies that are eligible to apply for annual renewal in the 2010 process as part of the City's funding application.
The Long Beach Continuum of Care application funds supportive services at the MultiService Center for street outreach coordination, case management, employment placement, childcare, medical care, shelter and permanent housing placement, residential programs for veterans and homeless families located at the Villages at Cabrillo, mental health and domestic violence programs serving the City of Long Beach.
The City's Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) will oversee the grant renewal allocation process. The HSAC is requesting that the Health Department again be the lead grantee for 2010 and is recommending that the sub-grantees that were chosen through the 2009 Request for Proposal (RFP) process remain eligible for the 2010 application submission to HUD. 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 notification from HUD, the Health Department will monitor the performance of all program sub-grantees to ensure compliance with Federal and local grant requirements. The City's Department of Community Development Housing Authority will administer the Shelter Plus Care rental subsidies that are awarded.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on April 30, 2010 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bellon April 30, 2010.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 18, 2010 to allow the Health Department to begin the process of responding to the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the grant application.
FISCAL IMPACT
If awarded, the grant is estimated to be between $5.5 and $7.5 million. Funding will be made available through HUD and 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 11 budget process. Currently, eleven City employees facilitate the operations of the Multi-Service Center and seven City employees provide grant management and oversight services. Sub-recipient contracts with 14 non-profit agencies support more than 100 other jobs in Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronald R. Arias
Director Health and Human Services
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |