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HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 4.2(b)--Authorize Collaborative Application for the FY 2023 Continuum of Care Program Competition CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL Recommendation Approve the following: (1) Authorize the City of Redding to serve as the Collaborative Applicant for the Fiscal Year 2023 Continuum of Care Application on behalf of the NorCal Continuum of Care (NorCal CoC); and authorize the City Manager or designee, to submit the application; (2) Ratify the award of Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 3 (HHAP3) funding to the City of Redding for $58,792.30 for personnel and consultant costs for the Collaborative Application submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); (3) Authorize the City Manager to accept and appropriate the Collaborative Application and HHAP 3 awarded funding; (4) Find that applying for, and accepting, grant funding is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act; and (5) Find that applying for, and accepting, grant funding is not considered a project under the National Environmental Policy Act under 24 CFR 58.34(a)(3). Fiscal Impact The City of Redding (City) has been awarded HHAP3 funding in the amount of $58,792.30 to support this Collaborative Application process. Decipher HMIS, the selected consultant to assist with the Collaborative Application, provided a quote in the amount of $18,975 to complete the preliminary tasks, the Collaborative Application and post submission activities associated with the process. In addition, staff estimates that 80 hours of staff time will be necessary to assist the consultant and provide support activities through the grant year. HHAP 3 funding will fund each of these tasks. There will be no impact to the general fund. Alternative Action MEETING DATE: August 15, 2023 ITEM NO. 4.2(b) FROM: ***APPROVED BY*** sbade@cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 4.2(b)--Authorize Application for the Fiscal Year 2023 Continuum of Care Competition Steve Bade, Assistant City Manager Report to Redding City Council August 9, 2023 Re: 4.2(b)--Authorize Collaborative Application for the FY 2023 Continuum of Care Program Competition Page 2 The City Council (Council) could choose not to serve as the Collaborative Applicant for the Fiscal Year 2023 Continuum of Care Application (Application). Since no other organization has elected to fill this role, this option may result in jeopardizing funding for homeless services within the NorCal CoC region. Background/Analysis On May 20, 2009, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was amended by Section 896 of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, and consolidated three separate homeless assistance programs administered by HUD. The resulting program was renamed the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. The CoC Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families. The CoC Program interim rule (24 CFR part 578) provides the requirements and responsibilities related to operations and grant administration for the program. As part of the CoC program, HUD requires representatives of relevant organizations within the community to form a local CoC organization. The NorCal CoC serves as this organization and represents Shasta, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Del Norte and Modoc Counties. The Executive Board is the decision-making body for the NorCal CoC - members of the Executive Board include local officials, service provider agencies, formerly homeless individuals, and advocates with seven voting members; one member representing, and elected by, each of the seven NorCal CoC County Advisory Boards. One of the responsibilities of the Executive Board is to annually designate an entity to serve as the Collaborative Applicant for the NorCal CoC. The Collaborative Applicant submits the annual application to HUD on behalf of the NorCal CoC. Presently, Shasta County serves as the Collaborative Applicant, Lead Agency, and Housing Management Information System (HMIS) coordinator through its Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). On June 21, 2023, Shasta County HHSA provided notice to all seven NorCal CoC counties, terminating their contract to provide Collaborative Applicant services. On July 5, 2023, HUD released the annual FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Application with the due date of September 28, 2023. The FY 2022 Application received approval for $413,255. Of this amount, $290,822 funded the Partners II Project - a scattered site tenant-based rental assistance program with supportive services for the mentally ill, unsheltered population; $30,000 for HMIS; $61,809 for the Coordinated Entry Project and $30,624 for CoC planning activities. Given the short timeline to submit the FY 2023 Application, the Executive Board met in July 2023 to discuss options for selecting the FY 2023 Collaborative Applicant, eventually voting to recommend the City to serve as the Collaborative Applicant for the FY 2023 Application, subject to Council’s approval. The Executive Board also recommended that the Collaborative Applicant obtain a qualified consultant to complete and submit the FY 2023 Application, in an effort to ensure the maximum amount of funds are received by the NorCal CoC and all applicable HUD rules and regulations have been followed. Report to Redding City Council August 9, 2023 Re: 4.2(b)--Authorize Collaborative Application for the FY 2023 Continuum of Care Program Competition Page 3 After obtaining quotes for the consultant, Decipher HMIS has been chosen to provide services for the Application submission to HUD. Furthermore, the Executive Board voted unanimously to award $58,792.30 in HHAP3 grant funds to the City to complete the Application process. Environmental Review Applying for grant funding is not considered a project under the 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 awarded funding by the State. Council Priority/City Manager Goals 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.” Economic Development- “Facilitate and become a catalyst for economic development in Redding to create jobs, retain current businesses and attract new ones, and encourage investment in the community.”