Loading...
Agenda 09/25/2012 Item #16D1 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1 . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to recognize the transfer of responsibilities as Lead Agency from Collier County Housing, Human and Veteran Services (HHVS)to Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition (HHC) as they are designated the Collaborative Applicant/Lead Agency for the purposes of submitting Continuum of Care grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. OBJECTIVE: Inform the Board of actions necessary resulting from the issuance of the Interim HEARTH Act Rule (Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing) as it relates to the CoC application process. CONSIDERATIONS: As background, on May 27, 2003, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) accepted the Lead Agency role for the application and monitoring responsibilities associated with the Continuum of Care grant program and approved a Lead Agency Agreement (Item # 16.A.6). CoC programs help develop housing and related supportive services for people moving from homelessness to independent living and provides rental assistance with supportive service to homeless with disabilities. On October 25, 2011, the BCC authorized Collier County Housing, Human and Veteran Services (HHVS) to evaluate the County's continuing role as the Lead Agency for the Continuum of Care Program in Collier County (Item # 16.D.6). Collier County's Continuum of Care is led by the Hunger and Homeless Coalition and has the participation of many not for profit entities in Collier County. Recently, Congress passed the HEARTH Act, and as a result HUD has issued new guidance on the membership and structure of CoCs nationwide. The Act eliminates the Lead Agency role Collier County HHVS has held since 2003 and replaced it, in part, with a new role called the Collaborative Applicant. The Collaborative Applicant is responsible for applying for and carrying out projects on behalf of the Continuum of Care. The Collaborative Applicant establishes that the CoC is responsible for designing, operating, and following a collaborative process for the development of applications as well as approving the submission of applications. In light of these HUD changes, the Collier County Continuum of Care (FL606) voted at their August 2, 2012 meeting for the Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition (HHC) to be designated as its Collaborative Applicant/Lead Agency, as outlined in the HEARTH Act. The agenda and minutes of this meeting are provided in the supporting documentation for this agenda item. Consistent with the Interim Rule HHVS/Collier County will no longer perform the role of Lead Agency as of the date of notification to HUD. As the HEARTH Act rule is further finalized and guidance issued by HUD, any clarifications or changes further affecting Collier County will be brought to the BCC for consideration. HHVS remains committed to the goals of the CoC and will work with HUD officials, HHC and all participating agencies to ensure a successful transfer of the Lead Agency role. FISCAL IMPACT: To the extent programs such as this one are not subject to single audit review, the potential exists for reduced audit fees. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: The 2003 Lead Agency Agreement expired in 2006. Since expiration of the 2003 Lead Agency Agreement Collier County has acted as the Lead Agency. Staff will bring a Packet Page -2457- 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1. participation agreement back to the Board outlining responsibilities between the County and HHC. In the meantime, HHC's notification to HUD of its Lead Agency status can be considered the official end of Collier County's role of Lead Agency. This item is legally sufficient and requires a majority vote—JBW. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This application is consistent with the Growth Management Plan. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners recognize that the HHVS will no longer have the Lead Agency role and no longer be responsible for the CoC application process. Prepared By: Elly Soto McKuen; Grant Support Specialist; Housing,Human and Veteran Services Packet Page -2458- 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1. COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.D.1. Item Summary: Recommendation to recognize the transfer of responsibilities as Lead Agency from Collier County Housing, Human and Veteran Services (HHVS)to Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition (HHC) as they are designated the Collaborative Applicant/Lead Agency for the purposes of submitting Continuum of Care grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Meeting Date: 9/25/2012 Prepared By Name: McKuenElly Title: Grant Support Specialist,Housing,Human&Veteran 8/16/2012 8:44:49 AM Submitted by Title: Grant Support Specialist,Housing,Human&Veteran Name: McKuenElly 8/16/2012 8:44:50 AM Approved By Name: AlonsoHailey Title: Operations Analyst,Public Service Division Date: 9/12/2012 1:04:22 PM Name: CastorenaMargo Title: Manager-Federal/State Grants,HHVS Date: 9/12/2012 3:35:03 PM Name: GrantKimberley Title: Interim Director,HHVS Date: 9/14/2012 10:52:02 AM Name: AckermanMaria Title: Senior Accountant,Grants Packet Page -2459- 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1. Date: 9/14/2012 11:11:53 AM Name: CarnellSteve Title: Director-Purchasing/General Services,Purchasing Date: 9/14/2012 1:54:44 PM Name: WhiteJennifer Title: Assistant County Attorney,County Attorney Date: 9/17/2012 4:38:47 PM Name: PryorCheryl Title: Management/Budget Analyst, Senior,Office of Management&Budget Date: 9/17/2012 5:19:23 PM Name: StanleyTherese Title: Management/Budget Analyst, Senior,Office of Management&Budget Date: 9/17/2012 5:23:20 PM Name: KlatzkowJeff Title: County Attorney Date: 9/18/2012 3:22:14 PM Name: IsacksonMark Title: Director-Corp Financial and Mgmt Svs,CMO Date: 9/18/2012 3:59:58 PM ,mow, Packet Page -2460- 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1. CoC Minutes August 2, 2012 3:00 p.m. Attendees: Debra Mahr, Nicole Muley, Rene Givens, Michael Porpora, Lou Hoegsted, Fred Richards, Pattie O'Connor, Todd Ryan, Elly Soto McKuen, Armando Galella, Eric Ashley, Margo Castorena, Pamela Baker, Taludy Sorto Definition and Purpose: A community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, as they move to stable housing and maximize self- sufficiency. It includes action steps to prevent and end homelessness. Welcome and Minutes: Debi Mahr welcomed the group and introductions were made. The agenda and minutes were approved by Nicole Muley, seconded by Lou Hoegsted. Old Business/New Business: I. CoC Lead: Debi started a discussion about the CoC designating a Collaborative Applicant to submit the 2012 application. In April, 2011 the CoC approved the Hunger and Homeless Coalition of Collier County to pursue the role, however the Coalition wanted to revisit taking on Collaborative Applicant for the CoC until the new Interim Rule which outlines all the responsibilities was released. The rule was recently released by HUD and Debi said the Coalition is ready to accept that role. This means that the Hunger & Homeless Coalition of Collier County ( HHC) would be the lead agency instead of Collier County and the next CoC application package would be submitted by HHC as Collaborative Applicant to HUD. Agencies receiving CoC funding from HUD would use their Lock's system to receive payments. A motion was made by Nicole and seconded by Lou for the CoC to vote on the Hunger & Homeless Coalition becoming the Collaborative Applicant. The group voted in favor of the change. Margo Castorena joined the meeting and reviewed some of the history and responsibilities of the lead agency and reminded everyone about HMIS and the funding, as well as matching dollars needed to keep it operating. Debi will be meeting with Kim Grant at the county in the near future to discuss the change. Debi reminded the group that there will be responsibilities that the CoC will need to meet (described below) . Nicole also mentioned that as the Collaborative Applicant, HHC can also apply for CoC planning funding ( up to 3% of the FPRN) when it's Packet Page -2461- 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1 . time for the CoC application which will also assist with any expenses incurred. II. HEARTH CoC Program Interim Rule: The CoC program rule expands and codifies into law the existing community-wide planning and application efforts of the Continuum of Care. Debi shared a handout called the "Introductory Guide to the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program" which explains the requirements of the CoC program and the Interim Rule. Debi expressed that the CoC is in pretty good shape since we have a primary decision making group with an executive committee and committee chairs as well, but there will be added tasks that the CoC as a whole will need to support. The three primary responsibilities of the CoC under the Interim Rule are: • Operating the CoC • Designating and Operating an HMIS • CoC planning Each responsibility has numerous, specific tasks as outlined in the handout, so it will be important for all members of the CoC to provide support, so that we can work together to complete them in the future. oak III. III. Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Update Debi gave an update about what has been completed with regards to ESG: • The Coalition created the application, advertised• the RFP and posted it on their website. • A Ranking and Review Committee ( RR) was formed with five neutral individuals from the CoC decision making group. • The RR Committee established fair rating criteria and a procedure to rank applications. • The CoC RR Committee will present to Margo from CCHHVS the CoC recommendations for ESG funding. Debi reminded agencies that the deadline for submitting an ESG application is Friday, August 3, 2012. When applications are received, they will be scored by the RR Committee and they will provide their recommendations to Margo by the end of August. Lou asked whether ESG funding would need to pass through the Clerk of Courts or not. As of right now, there is no change in this reimbursement process. IV. CoC Grant Application Preparations Packet Page -2462- 9/25/2012 Item 16.D.1 . Rene Givens reported about the preparations for the new CoC application. She handed out an outline of all the eligible program components and eligible costs for the upcoming CoC grant application. She will post the handout on the CCHHC website and any other pertinent information. Agencies should start thinking about whether or not they will be submitting new projects. Agencies who are not in HMIS should also work on solutions to do so. At the next meeting, we will begin setting goals in preparation for the upcoming CoC application, so it's important for agencies to participate. Committee Reports: a. Employment—Fred Richards reported that they recently had two guest speakers at their meeting, one from the Housing Development Corp and Mary George from the Community Foundation. Fred explained that they have been given the task to create a referral and report service for professionals who are unemployed that need mental health services. Their next meeting is October 4. b. Data—Michael Porpora had no report, but said they would be meeting at the end of August. c. CoC planning—Debi previously discussed these items earlier in the meeting d. Membership/Housing—Angela Edison was not at the meeting, but Debi said she is recommending a formally homeless person join the meetings. e. Grants—Pam Baker did not report f. Youth—Tom was not at the meeting, but lots of exciting things are starting to happen for youth/young adults ages 16-24 in regards to a drop-in center g. Outreach—Patty reminded everyone that just because people are homeless, they don't want to look homeless. She is collecting hygiene items and will be bringing a basket, so if CoC members would like to contribute, to please bring the items at the meetings. Other: Eric Ashley from the new Veterans Center on Horseshoe Drive South came to the meeting and gave an overview of their programs and services. He can be reached at James.Ashley2 @va.gov. Next Meeting: September 6, 2012 at 3p.m.at the Hilton. Packet Page-2463-