TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to submit an Agreement to Apply with the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC), for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) Round 4 grant, to begin the grant application process, and to redirect the City of Long Beach (City) Large Cities program allocation to the Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to submit an Agreement to Apply with the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) Round 4 grant, as required by the grantor to begin the grant application process and to redirect the City Large Cities program allocation to the Long Beach CoC. The HHAP Round 4 allocations have not yet been released by the grantor and it is expected that the allocations will be released before the end of December 2022. The anticipated allocation amount will range from $12 to $16 million dollars ($12,000,000 to $16,000,000). The State has not yet finalized their allocation numbers because they are working to finalize homeless count numbers (which determines funding allocation). The HHAP 4 funding must build upon the foundation established with past rounds of HHAP funding to build stronger collaboration and partnership in communities across the state to address immediate homelessness challenges.
The Health and Human Services Department, Homeless Services Bureau serves as the lead agency in administering homeless services grant funds across the Long Beach CoC. Redirecting funds from the HHAP Round 4 Large Cities program allocation to the CoC will not change the intended use of funds to address homelessness challenges, and there will be no impact to current City programs or future programming supported by the funds. Redirecting funding from the Large Cities program to the CoC will only facilitate administrative efficiencies by consolidating funding allocations into a single entity.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on October 31, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer, Greg Sorensen on October 26, 2022.
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 HHAP 4 funding is awarded to the City.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 15, 2022, to begin the application process and meet the grantor’s deadline set for November 29, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
HHAP funding, once released by the grantor, will be redirected from the Large Cities program to the Long Beach CoC to support regional coordination and expand local capacity to address immediate homelessness challenges. Redirecting funding to the CoC will consolidate HHAP funding and will improve administration of funds. There will be no change to intended funding uses, and no impact to current or future programming. The grant has no match requirement. If approved, the Department will return to City Council with a request for appropriation, offset by grant revenues. There is no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER