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Consider approval of a Community Investment Fund Emergency Fund Application for $100,000 from Change and New Beginnings (CANB), a local nonprofit addressing homelessness in Solano County, to support hotel accommodations and meals for Veterans during required modifications to their transitional housing facilities
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Published Notice Required? Yes_______ No ___X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes_______ No ___X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors consider approval of a Community Investment Fund (CIF) Emergency Fund Application for $100,000 from Change and New Beginnings (CANB), a local nonprofit addressing homelessness in Solano County, to support hotel accommodations and meals for Veterans during required modifications to their transitional housing facilities.
SUMMARY:
On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, the County Administrator’s Office initiated a Community Investment Fund (CIF) in 2020 to address the greatest human services needs in the County. This effort resulted in the creation of a durable framework of desired outcomes with clearly defined indicators to support a process that directs $2 million in General Fund toward the highest needs in the County.
In 2023, during the 3-year evaluation of the CIF, the Board established an Emergency Fund as part of the CIF to address unforeseen emergencies experienced by nonprofits throughout the year. This fund will address one-time emergencies for agencies who offer services addressing one or more of the six priority CIF needs. Any established nonprofit that is facing an emergency and needs bridge funding to remain operational in the County can apply to this Emergency Fund.
In April 2024, CANB submitted an emergency funding request for $100,000 due to shortfalls in their Veteran Homelessness Services Program. The request was reviewed in accordance with the CIF Emergency Fund process and staff are recommending the Board consider approval of funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The $250,000 Emergency Fund begins in FY2024/25 and is included in FY2024/25 Requested Budget; should this application be approved, the funding will come from FY2023/24 unallocated funds of which $551,286 is available due to a contractor terminating their contract due to high insurance rates.
DISCUSSION:
As part of the CIF, your board established a $250,000 Emergency Fund to address unforeseen emergencies experienced by nonprofits throughout the year. This fund addresses one-time emergency needs for agencies who offer services addressing one or more of the six CIF priorities. Any established nonprofit that is facing an emergency and needs bridge funding to remain operational in the County can apply to this Emergency Fund.
Change and New Beginnings (CANB) Emergency Fund Application
In March 2024, CANB (formerly named Community Action North Bay; renamed Change and New Beginnings) reached out to the County regarding an emergency request for funding to assuage a budget shortfall regarding their Veteran Homelessness Services Program. This request falls under the Community Investment Fund, Priority 3, Homelessness. County staff directed CANB to submit an application to the CIF Emergency Fund, which was submitted in April 2024.
According to the CANB application, the Veteran’s Administration housing policies had a change which now require that CANB provide Veterans single rooms. Prior to COVID-19, Veterans could be housed two per room. This required construction on the CANB Veterans Transitional Housing Program homes. During the construction period, CANB was required to provide hotel accommodations and food for these Veterans, resulting in unexpected costs of $100,000.
Since the submission of this Emergency Fund Application from CANB, the agency has received several grants from a variety of funding sources. These funds will support their ongoing costs, but CANB cannot use these grant funds to pay for the unrecouped hotel stays and meals.
This application originally was submitted for $250,000. After review by County staff and discussion with CANB, both agencies mutually agreed that the non-recoupable costs are $100,000.
This application received 2 additional reviews:
• The Auditor-Controller’s Office conducted a risk assessment review of the CANB financials and determined that the agency would be sustainable after this cost is addressed.
• A subject matter expert reviewed the application and concurred that housing Veterans in Solano County is a priority, that the request from CANB is an urgent situation, and that there would be a negative impact to Solano County if CANB was no longer providing these services.
From these staff reviews, the recommendation is to forward the $100,000 CANB Emergency Fund Application for Board consideration to be funded from FY2023/24 unallocated CIF funds.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to fund the $100,000 CANB Emergency Fund Application. This is not recommended as CANB cannot recoup these costs from their existing grants and housing Veterans is a priority in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
First 5 Solano administers the Community Investment Fund on behalf of the County Administrator’s Office. Additionally, the Auditor-Controller’s Office reviewed the CANB financials.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION