19E - HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PRGM

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Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) Response: Since 1998, Orange County has seen the evolution of a regional CoC for the purpose of identifying and prioritizing housing and service needs of the region's homeless and those at risk of homelessness. At the forefront of this regional planning process is the CoC Leadership Cabinet and the Community Forum Collaborative. The Leadership Cabinet and the Community Forum Collaborative were created to address homeless issues on a comprehensive regional basis. Key to this effort is the identification of the resources available throughout the region that can be used to address and reduce homelessness. They provide leadership and direction for the regional planning process and the marshalling of mainstream resources in support of the region's annual SuperNOFA CoC grant application to HUD. Other regional homeless-related initiatives addressed by the Leadership Cabinet and the Community Forum include implementation of the biennial Point-In-Time homeless count, Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, regional discharge planning efforts (jails, hospitals, foster care) and implementation of Orange County's HMIS. Because of the Community Forum's inclusive membership and the Leadership Cabinet's unique make up (comprised of representatives from the OC Housing and Community Development Commission, citizens, homeless service/shelter providers, the County Public Health Officer and County Homeless Prevention Coordinator) they are ideally suited to work in partnership with Santa Ana to utilize HPRP resources regionally, and in an effective and efficient manner. The City will work with the County to identify opportunities to utilize vendors/programs that present ideal opportunities to regionalize the effective use of HPRP funds. 3. Briefly describe how HPRP grant funds for financial assistance and housing relocation stabilization services will be used in a manner that is consistent with the grantee's Consolidated Plan (limit 250 words). Response: The City of Santa Ana's 2005/06 - 2009/10 Consolidated Plan identifies homeless programs as a high priority need. According to this document, the City has committed the use of federal resources, such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and ESG to provide a continuum of services for the City's homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. During the past four years the City has significantly funded emergency and transitional housing opportunities. To a lesser degree, ESG funds have been used to provide homelessness prevention assistance; however, HPRP funds will allow the City to address one of the gaps in its continuum of housing/services, i.e., access to permanent housing. The influx of HPRP funds, specifically for assisting individuals and families to access and stay in permanent housing is much needed. Utilizing a portion of the City's HPRP 8 4/28/09 HUD-40119 19E-11