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