Item Description:
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Amd 1 to Agmt A2211259 with the MN Dept of Human Services to receive a Community Living Infrastructure grant for housing resource specialists, the administration of Housing Support programs, and the administration and funding for direct assistance to prevent evictions, 06/01/22-03/31/24, incr recv by $1,994,037, supp appr to HSPH 2023 budget, authorize 1.0 LD FTE
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 1 to Agreement A2211259 with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to accept a reimbursement grant from the Community Living Infrastructure grant program for housing resource specialists, the administration of Housing Support programs, and the administration and funding for direct assistance to prevent evictions, during the period June 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024, increasing the receivable amount by $1,994,037 for a new total receivable amount of $2,479,551, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse the funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Human Services and Public Health Department receive a supplemental appropriation of $997,000 to the 2023 Human Services and Public Health budget, including the addition of 1.0 Limited Duration FTE Principal Planning Analyst position, be approved; 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 supporting counties and tribes to integrate housing resources into their human service delivery systems throughout the state. 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. Additional, limited duration funding was approved for the Community Living Infrastructure (CLI) grant throughout the state by the legislature, resulting in a total amount of new funding available for the program of $9 million for FY2022, $9 million for FY2023, and $8 million for part of FY2024.
Previous actions regarding this CLI funding includes the following: Agreement A188925 with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for $212,842, accepted by the County on June 12, 2018 (Board Resolution 18-0239); the amendment to Agreement A188925 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); Agreement A2110804 for $406,000, which was accepted by the County on June 22, 2021 (Board Resolution 21-¬0252); and Agreement A2211259 for $485,514, which was accepted on June 21, 2022 (Board Resolution 22-¬0233).
For the June 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024, term, DHS announced additional funding was available for the grant on June 5, 2023. Hennepin County applied and was awarded an additional $1,994,037 by DHS on July 28, 2023. This action is to accept this funding and approve the A2211259 grant agreement with DHS. The additional funding for this grant will allow us to fund 5.15 FTEs in the Housing Stability Area of Health and Human Services through March 31, 2024: two current limited duration Human Services Representatives to process direct assistance funds to residents, 1.15 FTEs current Housing Resources Specialists, and two current permanent employees and one new limited duration employee for the administration and monitoring of Housing Support programs. Additionally, a significant portion of this increased funding ($1,682,181) will be used as direct assistance to help prevent those with disabilities or disabling conditions (including seniors and people in supportive housing) from losing their housing to eviction.
Impact/Outcome: Using these additional funds, Health and Human Services will be able to relieve the County of tax funds expenditures and support 5.15 FTEs for the Housing Stability Area for the remainder of the grant. These resources 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.
• Innovate and ensure quality in Housing Support programs to increase people’s choice and maximize our use of all available resources.
• Help prevent those with disabilities or disabling conditions (including seniors and people in supportive housing) from losing their housing.
Current Request: Approve Amendment 1 to Agreement A2211259 with Minnesota DHS for a Community Living Infrastructure grant to support housing resource specialists, the administration of Housing Support programs, and the administration and funding for direct assistance to prevent evictions, which will increase the total grant amount by $1,994,037 for a new NTE total of $2,479,551. Also, a supplemental appropriation of $997,000 to the 2023 Human Services and Public Health budget, including authorization for a new 1.0 Limited Duration FTE Principal Planning Analyst position.
Disparity reduction: This request reduces disparities in the housing domain by supporting planning, data analysis, training, quality assurance activities, and housing resources for Hennepin County staff and the county’s Housing Support program. This planning and analyses identify, measure, and help to address racial and other disparities by providing housing resources as well as expanding and improving the quality of permanent supportive housing opportunities for people experiencing housing instability, who are most often people who are members of groups disparately impacted by homelessness and housing instability.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval