Item Description:
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Amd 1 to Agmt A2110804 with the MN Dept of Human Services for a Community Living Infrastructure reimbursement grant for a housing resource specialist and administration of the Housing Support program, ext end date to 12/31/23, incr recv by $75,808
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 Agreement A2110804 with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for a reimbursement grant from the Community Living Infrastructure grant program for a housing resource specialist and administration of the Housing Support program, increasing the receivable amount by $75,808 for a new total receivable amount of $481,808, and extending the end date to December 31, 2023, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the amendment on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse the funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continuing funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature passed a comprehensive housing package, adding language to the Minnesota Housing Support Act (Chapter 256I), to increase and improve opportunities for Minnesotans with disabling conditions to live in the community. The housing package included grant funding aimed at developing and supporting community living infrastructure throughout the state, totaling $2.8 million for the State through June 2019, $1.5 million for July 2019-June 2020, and $2.6 million annually ongoing.
Hennepin County Health and Human Services’ Housing Stability Area convened workgroups of managers, supervisors, and planners to develop a proposal for this new funding, with goals to fill key gaps in our system, leverage the county’s existing expertise and initiatives by strongly connecting them, and to develop housing expertise and resources across all of Health and Human Services.
The County applied for and was awarded funding by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in the amount of $212,842 for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. This first grant, Agreement A188925, was accepted by the County on June 12, 2018 (Board Resolution 18-0239), and amended in 2019 to extend it to June 30, 2021, and to add $375,335 to the grant for a total of $588,177, which was accepted by the County on June 18, 2019 (Board Resolution 19-0270). The current grant agreement with DHS, A2110804, in the amount of $406,000 was awarded in 2021 and accepted by the Board on June 22, 2021 (Board Resolution 21-0252).
Current Request: Amend Agreement A2110804 to extend the term of the agreement with DHS through 12/31/2023. And to increase the total receivable amount by $75,808.50 to a new total amount of $481,808.50. The amendment to this grant will continue the funding for 2.0 FTEs in the Housing Stability Area of Health and Human Services: for a Housing Resources Specialist and for Administration and Monitoring of Housing Support programs.
Impact/Outcome: Using these funds, Health and Human Services has been able to relieve the County of tax funds expenditures and hire 2 FTEs for the Housing Stability Area. These resources were and will continue to be used to:
• ensure operated and contracted staff have the knowledge and resources to support the people we serve in gaining and maintaining housing stability;
• launch and expand community-based Housing Support programs; and
• update and innovate Housing Support programs to increase people’s choice and maximize our use of all available resources.
During the most recent biennium of this funding (07/01/2021-06/30/2023), the following milestones have been achieved to date:
1. Increased case consultation and training opportunities via the grant-funded Housing Support Resource Specialist for staff who serve people with housing needs. Monthly Child Protection consultations and biweekly consultations with new housing-focused management staff in Housing Stability were implemented. In addition, trainings were developed in new enhanced service options, such as the new Minnesota Supplemental Aid-Housing Assistance, which was attended by 186 case management staff.
2. Development and implementation of bi-monthly housing-focused community of practices for county and contracted Behavioral Health and Long Term Supports and Services staff.
3. Signed Housing Support Agreements with nine new Housing Support providers, increasing the number of BIPOC-led Housing Support provider organizations by 15% and increasing the overall number of Housing Support providers by 20%.
4. Increased overall Housing Support program capacity by approximately 600 units.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval