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Adopt a resolution to receive two noncompetitive allocation awards from the State Department of Housing and Community Development: $276,445 for Round 7 of the Transitional Housing Program and $125,766 for Round 4 of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program effective for two years upon execution of the agreements, to assist young adults aged 18 to 24 years who were formerly in the foster care or probation systems to overcome barriers to housing and reduce the risk of homelessness; Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the allocation agreements and related documents necessary to accept the allocation awards; and Approve a $402,211 Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to recognize the unanticipated revenues (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt a resolution to receive two noncompetitive allocation awards from the State Department of Housing and Community Development: $276,445 for Round 7 Transitional Housing Program (THP) and $125,766 for Round 4 of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) effective for two years upon execution of the agreements, to assist young adults aged 18 to 24 years who were formerly in the foster care or probation systems to overcome barriers to housing and reduce the risk of homelessness; delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the allocation agreements and related documents necessary to accept the allocation awards; and approve a $402,211 Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) to recognize the unanticipated revenues (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY:
When left without support or resources, young adults aged 18 to 24 years old, also known as transitional-aged youth, can face many barriers to finding safe and affordable housing and are at risk of falling into homelessness. The Transitional Housing Program (THP) funds county child welfare service agencies to help young adults aged 18 to 24 years find and maintain housing, with priority given to those formerly in the foster care system. Through legislation (SB 80, Statutes of 2019), the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has created an additional priority population of young adults formerly in the probation system that may be targeted through June 30, 2026. THP funds may be used for coordinating services and linkages to community resources within the child welfare system and the homeless Continuum of Care.
The Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) is a California state initiative designed to support youth adults aged 18 to 24, particularly those transitioning out of foster care or the probation system, in securing and maintaining stable housing. Also administered by HCD, HNMP provides funding to county child welfare agencies to employ housing navigators who assist youth with case management, housing resource services, rent assistance, payment of security deposits, and emergency support such as hotel vouchers for immediate housing.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The allocation awards of $276,445 for the THP and $125,766 for the HNMP will be available for two years from the execution of the agreements. There is no impact to the General Fund. An ATR in the total amount of $402,211 is needed to increase appropriations and revenue and any funds remaining unexpended in FY2025/26 will be included in the Department’s FY2026/27 Requested Budget.
DISCUSSION:
According to recent data from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 1 in 10 young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 experience some form of homelessness annually. For young people who experience homelessness, HUD data suggests a strong correlation for being at high risk for adverse outcomes such as physical and mental health challenges, experience of violence, early pregnancy, early school leaving, substance use, and more. According to Solano County’s 2024 Homeless Point in Time Count 3.6% of the homeless population (27 individuals) were between the ages of 18 and 24, a 36% decrease from 2022 to 2024. Transitional aged youth formerly in the foster care or probation systems are at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness.
On June 27, 2019, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 80, the budget trailer bill that provides $8 million annually to reduce youth homelessness. The HCD has allocated these funds to county Child Welfare agencies based upon each county's percentage of the total statewide number of young adults aged 18 to 24 years in foster care. The allocations are considered “Over-the-Counter,” meaning that the grants are non-competitive and provided to counties without a physical application or program plan.
The THP delivers services such as outreach to transition-aged youth with severe needs, assistance in finding and maintaining housing, and improvement coordination of services and linkages to community resources. Upon receipt of these funds, H&SS seeks to conduct a gap analysis of the current THP Housing program in Solano County to determine how to distribute the funding to expand resources and services to former foster and probation youth as required by the eligibility criteria outlined in the program’s criteria.
Since its inception, HNMP has also played a pivotal role in addressing youth homelessness in California. As of 2025, the program has helped over 14,000 youth adults by providing essential housing support and services. In Solano County, services and supports provided to youth aged 18 to 24 include locating and securing housing while providing housing education and navigation to community partners, social workers and probation staff.
When supplied with housing funding and resources, H&SS can play a key role through its partner contract agencies in broadly impacting youth homelessness in Solano County. As H&SS staff and their partner agencies support young adults who are often working to secure income, employment, and education, some of whom are integrating back into the community from an institutional setting, Child Welfare Services can utilize THP and HNMP funding to impact homelessness by helping bridge the gap to housing stability for those that they serve.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt a resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of the noncompetitive allocation award. However, non-acceptance would reduce the community's funding available to support vulnerable young adults in need of housing support.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS partners with local youth organizations and the Probation Department to ensure eligible young adults may be referred to the program for housing support.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION