Title
Recommendation to Receive Direction from City Council Regarding Uses for a Potential Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant Award. (Community Development 267) [Not heard on June 15, 2021]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The County of Alameda (County) has shared information with the City of Alameda (City) regarding a potential award of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant funds in the amount of $285,767. In order to prepare to receive the grant award staff is requesting direction from City Council. Staff recommends allocating the funds as follows:
• $125,000 to provide overnight shelter;
• $75,000 to augment existing street outreach with mental health services; and
• $85,767 for flexible funds, which includes one-time assistance for homeless prevention. This includes assistance for car repairs, paying back rent, utilities, etc. for previously homeless or those most vulnerable and on the verge of becoming homeless.
BACKGROUND
HHAP is authorized by Assembly Bill (AB) 101 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 159, Statutes of 2019) and AB 83 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 15, Statutes of 2020). Round one funding totaled $650 million and supports regional coordination and expansion or development of local capacity to address immediate homelessness challenges. The County received $8,754,710 in round one funds to support the continuum of care. The City will benefit indirectly from these funds. Round two funding totaled $300 million and provides support to local jurisdictions to continue to build on regional collaboration developed through previous rounds of Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funding and to develop a unified regional response to homelessness. Alameda County’s allocation totals $4,002,153. Funds must be used based on best practices to transition the unhoused to permanent housing. Awards to counties are based on the County’s proportionate share of the state’s homeless population. Large cities such as San Francisco, Oakland and Stockton received direct grants from the state of California.
In an online meeting in late May 2021, staff met with representatives from the County to discuss a potential award to the City of $285,767 in round two HHAP funds. The County indicated that the amount is a preliminary number based on information from the state. The County requested a plan for the funds in order to prepare for the contract to award the funding.
DISCUSSION
There are several potential uses of the funds to serve the needs of the unhoused. Some of the more pressing needs in staff’s analysis include:
• emergency funds to shelter the unhoused;
• providing mental health emergency support for the unhoused;
• providing one time emergency assistance to those on the verge of becoming unhoused;
• supporting community cabins; and
• providing direct assistance to the unhoused who have located housing and have a means to pay rent, but cannot afford the initial move-in or related costs.
Staff recommends that the projected grant allocation of $285,767 in HHAP funds be allocated as follows:
• $125,000 to provide overnight shelter: This would allow up to 10 people to have nightly shelter at the Alameda Day Center. Customers would be able to use the facility during the day and night. This would allow the City to house a small number of the City’s homeless population until community cabins or other shelters are available.
• $75,000 to augment existing street outreach with mental health services: This would enhance street outreach and street-based case management with mental health support. These funds would be targeted to the unhoused that need moderate to extreme mental health needs.
• $85,767 for flexible funds: This would provide one-time assistance for homeless prevention. The funds would be used for car repairs, paying back rent, utilities, etc. for previously homeless or those most vulnerable and on the verge of becoming homeless. The funds would also support homeless individuals with emergency expenses, such as car repairs for people living in vehicles, emergency motel stays, working with the unhoused to clear their credit and other related records to get them housing-ready, etc.
At a previous meeting City Council directed the City Manager to look at policy changes regarding the way police answer calls for those dealing with mental health issues. If other funding is sufficient to address the mental illness needs of the City’s unhoused, staff recommends that the proposed mental health funding referenced above be divided between and allocated to the other two categories described above as follows:
• An additional $67,767 for nightly shelter for a total of $185,767.
• An additional $14,233 in flexible funds for a total of $100,000.
• Alternatively, the funds could be used for Transitional Housing program such as Community Cabins.
Based on City Council’s direction, staff will return with a contract for award of the HHAP funds after the County of Alameda has received grant funds from the state.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the staff recommendations for allocation of the funds.
• Redistribute the funding request within the recommended uses.
• Consider some of the funding for transitional housing program such as community cabins.
• Modify the proposed fund allocations for one or more of the categories above.
• Direct staff to use the HHAP funding toward community cabins.
• Provide staff with a new direction for allocation of the HHAP funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is not a direct financial impact to the City’s General Fundwith the allocation ofa HHAP grant award. If awarded, the HHAP grant would be subject to future City Council appropriations approval. Following an approval, the City would expend funds and then invoice the County for reimbursement until grant funds are exhausted. No matching funds are required.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Social Service Human Relations Board Charter and Ordinance authority “to improve social services in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-9.1).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) section 15378(b)(5) (not a project); and section 15601(b)(3) (no significant environmental impact).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive direction from City Council regarding uses for a potential Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant award.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
This agenda item is intended to receive City Council input and direction prior to final request for funding from Alameda County. The next step will be to formally request approval for the uses of the funds from Alameda County and bring back an agreement for City Council consideration.
The City Manager supports staff recommendation for funding due to it providing immediate assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Nelson Maxwell, Community Development Director
By,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager