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HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.2(a)--Authorize Submission of Grant Application to California Homeless and Financing Council CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL Recommendation Authorize and approve the following actions: (1) Authorize submission of a grant application through the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council Encampment Resolution Funding Program (ERF-2- R), in an amount up to $10,000,000, to support the development and implementation of City of Redding programs addressing the ongoing shelter crisis; (2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to complete, sign, and submit the grant application with all applicable documents and subsequently accept and appropriate any ERF-2-R grant funds received; (3) Determine that applying for grant funding is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act; and (4) Determine that applying for grant funding is exempt from review under the Na tional Environmental Policy Act under Title 24 CFR 58.34(a)(3). Fiscal Impact If the City of Redding (City) is successful in obtaining the grant funds, the City may receive up to $10,000,000 with no required match. There is no negative impact to the General Fund. Alternative Action The City Council could decline to authorize an application to the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF-2-R). The City would need to seek other opportunities for grant funding to address the shelter crisis. MEETING DATE: February 21, 2023 ITEM NO. 4.2(a) FROM: ***APPROVED BY*** sbade@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 4.2(a)--Authorize Submission of Grant Application to California Homeless and Financing Council Steve Bade, Assistant City Manager Report to Redding City Council February 16, 2023 Re: 4.2(a)--Authorize Submission of Grant Application to California Homeless and Financing Council Page 2 Background/Analysis On June 15, 2021, the City Council declared a shelter crisis stemming from the impacts on individuals and families experiencing homelessness and as a result of the health, public safety, and environmental impacts associated with unlawful encampments situated in various locations in the City. Furthermore, the 2022 Point-in-Time Count reported that 423 veterans, women, individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups were unsheltered within the County of Shasta. The California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) is a board of the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency which, among other responsibilities, is tasked with advancing collaborati ve efforts to prevent and end homelessness in the State of California. California HCFC formed in 2017 to oversee the implementation of Housing First policies, guidelines, and regulations to prevent and reduce the duration of homelessness in California. Housing First is an approach to homelessness that understands homelessness as a housing crisis and that achieving housing leads many to experience improvements in physical and mental health, wellness, substance abuse, and employment. The ERF-2-R supports California HCFC’s mandates by funding local demonstration projects that provide services to address the immediate crisis of experiencing unsheltered homelessness in encampments, to support people living in encampments onto paths to safe and stable housing, and result in sustainable restoration of public spaces to its intended use while safeguarding the needs of unhoused people seeking shelter. The total funding available is $237,301,738 which will be divided among selected grantees through a competitive Reques t for Application process. HCFC will evaluate project activities and outcomes and reviewing each for its ability to be scalable and replicable across the state. The City faces a challenging environment due to limited housing inventory and limited funds to assist with the homeless crisis . The ERF-2-R opportunity is likely to be a very competitive program; however, a successful application would greatly benefit City initiatives and partnerships such as the Emergency Occupancy Program, Emergency Housing Shel ter (micro- shelter) program and the Crisis Intervention and Response Team partnership with Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. Among other housing options and direct services, the City provides a pathway to permanent and stable housing for unsh eltered populations in the City, including community members in at-risk and disadvantaged categories. In addition to benefiting community members and addressing health, public safety, and environmental concerns related to encampments, a successful application that enhances the City’s programs could create a strong basis for securing other potential funding to supplement what is currently available. Environmental Review Applying for grant funding is not considered a project under the California Environmen tal Quality Act (CEQA). Any project that is developed will be reviewed for CEQA compliance once the details are known. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), administrative and management activities such as applying for grant funding are considered exempt activities and no further action is required. Any construction projects will be reviewed for NEPA requirements if funding is awarded. Report to Redding City Council February 16, 2023 Re: 4.2(a)--Authorize Submission of Grant Application to California Homeless and Financing Council Page 3 Council Priority/City Manager Goals • Public Safety – “Work to improve all aspects of public safety to help people feel secure and safe where they live, work, and play in the City of Redding.” • Government of the 21st Century – “Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today’s residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today.”