55C - RESO HOMELESS EMERG AID PROG

Home Browse Search

Resolution — Declaring a Shelter Crisis to be Eligible for State one-time HEAP Grant funds August 21, 2018 Page 2 The California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council will provide program guidance, timeline and technical assistance on sample applications and instructions in the month of August 2018, to prepare for applicants for the first round of Notice of Funding Availability that will be released on September 5, 2018. Round 2 is planned for release on February 2019. The State has estimated that Santa Ana will receive approximately $3.5 to $3.7 Million during the standard distribution of funds beginning in April 2019. The HEAP statute mandates that 50 percent of the awarded funds must be contractually obligated by January 1, 2020 and that 100 percent of the funds must be expended by June 30, 2021. Administrative costs are capped at 5% of the funds. Additionally, the HEAP statue requires a minimum investment of 5% of all awards set aside for emergency assistance for homeless youth. The City of Santa Ana is currently experiencing a homeless crisis as one of the most urgent issues concerning public health and safety. Specifically, the City finds that a significant number of persons within the City are without the ability to obtain shelter, and that the situation has resulted in a threat to public health and safety. As the County seat, Santa Ana has experienced the overwhelming impact of homelessness from the entire County of Orange. According to the 2017 point -in -time homeless count, the City accommodates over 13 times its fair share of the unsheltered homeless population, nearly seven times its fair share of the sheltered population, and in total, carries 22 times the portion of the homeless population of other cities in the County. Santa Ana has been addressing homelessness for several years using Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) to fund non-profit service providers. It is estimated that Santa Ana spends approximately $17.4 million per year to address homelessness related issues which includes public safety (Police and medic services), Quality of Life Team (QOLT), Homeless Evaluation Assessment Response Team (HEART), maintenance of public right away and public facilities, street outreach, and administrative support services. In addition, Santa Ana hired a Homeless Services Manager dedicated to coordinating collaborative efforts with City and County stakeholders, enhance affordable housing and permanent supportive housing, and coordination of services and resources as a lead City within the Central Service Planning Area (SPA). Eligibility to receive one-time Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) grant funds is contingent on the City declaring a Shelter Crisis. Staff recommends adoption of the Shelter Crisis Resolution which will position the City to receive an estimated $3.5 to $3.7 million in one-time HEAP grant funds to address the unsheltered homeless population. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT The activities covered by this report allow the City to meet Goal # 1 — Community Safety, Objective # 6 (enhance Public Safety Integration, communication and community outreach); Goal # 5 - Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability, Objective # 4 (Support neighborhood vitality and livability) and # 6 (Focus projects and programs on improving the health and wellness of all residents). 55C-2