REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 14, 2020
FROM: CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS
(Councilmembers Miguel Arias, Esmeralda Soria and Garry Bredefeld)
and
LEE BRAND, Mayor
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: H. SPEES, Director, Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing Coordination to Align Spending Plans for COVID-19 Homeless Response Using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Emergency Solutions Grant Funding
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution of the Council of the City of Fresno, CA, authorizing coordination with the County of Fresno and the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care to align spending plans and establish disbursement mechanisms that support the community-wide COVID-19 Homeless Response using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Emergency Solutions Grant supplemental funding, Public Law 116-136.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City-through the Mayor and the Council Subcommittee on Homelessness-and the County of Fresno-through the County Administrative Officer and County Supervisor Nathan Magsig, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors’ designee-have collaborated with the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care and service providers to align varied resources to execute the COVID-19 Homeless Response (Response) for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 among individuals experiencing homelessness community-wide.
One-time State funding to address homelessness; Homeless Emergency Aid Program (2018), Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (2019), one-time State COVID-19 Emergency Homelessness Funding Grant, Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) funding for the community-wide Response warrant continued coordination.
Adoption of the proposed resolution will authorize staff to apply the City’s ESG-CV dollars the Response maintaining the continuum of services. (See Attachment A-Resolution for COVID-19 Homeless Response Using ESG-CV Funding). This special allocation is separate from the City’s annual ESG allocation.
Included with the proposed resolution is a table of how, generally, the City’s ESG-CV funds will be applied to the Response. Any major reallocations of these resources due to changes in the nature or duration of the pandemic will be brought back to the City Council for reconsideration.
BACKGROUND
On March 19, 2020, the State identified approximately $2 million in flexible COVID-19 Emergency Homelessness Funding Grant allocations to the City of Fresno ($1,012,869.44), the County of Fresno ($382,080.59) and the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care ($488,763.33). Recipients, in coordination with a strategy team, quickly developed, implemented, and executed the community-wide Response for prevention and containment. The Response consists of approximately 300 beds for families and individuals experiencing homelessness, supports handwashing and sanitizing stations throughout the community, continues security services at contracted hotels, adds cleaning at new bed sites and existing shelters, and other required services and supplies through, approximately the middle of June 2020.
During the Special Meeting on April 16, 2020, the City of Fresno redirected its State allocation to the County of Fresno through a Memorandum of Understanding to support the Response.
On April 2, 2020, the notification regarding ESG-CV funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $2,103,510 to the City of Fresno. (See Attachment B-ESG Letter from HUD 04-02-2020)
The proposed resolution authorizes the City to continue participation in the Response, which may expand the number of beds, while maintaining existing beds, added through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic or approximately mid-September.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This Resolution is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this resolution does not include an award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no increase in Net City Cost associated with the recommended action. There is no matching contribution requirement for these funds.
Attachments:
Attachment A - Resolution
Attachment B - ESG Letter from HUD 04-02-2020