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Community Development Agency https://www.santa-ana.org/cd Item # 23 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report April 6, 2021 TOPIC: HEAP Subcontractor Agreement with Orange County United Way AGENDA TITLE: Approve HEAP Subcontractor Agreement with Orange County United Way for Landlord Incentive Program for Foster Youth to Independence Housing Voucher Holders. RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Orange County United Way to utilize Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds in an amount not to exceed $184,544.29 to provide landlord incentives for Foster Youth to Independence vouchers issued by the Housing Authority, subject to non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. DISCUSSION In an effort to jumpstart the lives of foster youth who will receive a Foster Youth to Independence voucher, the City is recommending to use a portion of the HEAP funds to provide incentives to landlords to accept these unique Vouchers. In 2018, the City of Santa Ana received $3,690,885.84 in HEAP grant funds from the State of California to address immediate homeless challenges. Five percent or $184,544.29, of the grant must be used to establish or expand services meeting the needs of homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness. The Santa Ana Housing Authority (“SAHA”) was recently awarded Foster Youth to Independence (“FYI”) housing vouchers for young adults under the age of 25 who are, or have recently left, the foster care system without a home to go to and are at extreme risk of experiencing homelessness. SAHA has partnered with the Orange County United Way to engage approximately 14 youth applicants eligible for FYI housing vouchers through WelcomeHomeOC, the United Way’s landlord incentive program that matches voucher holders with available units. Linking with the United Way, the HEAP grant funds will be utilized to support incurred costs related to leasing up the new FYI voucher holders, including property owner signing bonuses, security deposits, application fees, furnishings, holding fees, moving costs, utility deposits, renter’s insurance, and a damage mitigation fund which is estimated to cost approximately $15,000 per voucher holder.