In January 2019, Yolo County released a strategic document to address the multifaceted needs of the homeless population entitled a “Plan to Address Homelessness”. In accordance with this plan, the County has been working collaboratively with our city and non-profit partners to explore an improved governance structure for homeless service coordination and to conduct a number of projects to increase housing options and day services. This staff report is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of these projects underway and the potential fiscal needs identified.
Homeless System Governance Structure
In February 2019 the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) requested and received funding, on behalf of the local Continuum of Care (CoC), Homeless Poverty and Action Coalition (HPAC), from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for technical assistance. The main purpose of this assistance was to assess and identify areas of improvement for the current homeless system governance structure.
The assessment was completed by the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) firm in September 2019 (See Attachment A: Assessment of Yolo County Homeless System Governance). The report identifies three challenges with the current governance structure: lack of clarity on roles/responsibilities; a need for comprehensive, coordinated Strategic Planning; and a need for monitoring and system performance evaluation. Ultimately, the report provides seven recommendations, five focused on streamlining of process and performance and the remaining two addressing governance structure. Specifically, the report recommends the following regarding the governance structure:
- Create a new HPAC Board with the primary role to establish policies and funding priorities that align with the larger community strategic vision.
- Create a county-level strategic planning body responsible for creating and implementing a community-wide vision for ending homelessness.
Based on the results of the assessment, a proposal letter was submitted to the Yolo County Homeless Plan Executive Commission (Commission) by the Yolo County Administrator and City Managers (See Attachment B: Proposal Letter). The letter addresses the recommendation of a county-level strategic planning body and proposes the following:
- Charge the existing Executive Commission with being the lead governing body to consider the report and its recommendations for county wide governance (as early as January 2020) and transition staff support for the Commission from Yolo County Housing to HHSA.
- Transition to an Interagency Council on Homelessness in 2020.
The proposed recommendations are currently pending review and vote by the Commission, which is set to occur on December 17, 2019.
City of Woodland Projects
Due to the significant increase in the presence of individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Woodland compared to other jurisdictions, as indicated by the 2019 point in time count, as well as the large presence of County facilities in the downtown corridor, staff recommend a higher level of investment from the County for the following projects. It is the intention that a strengthened investment will lead to increased positive outcomes for the community.
Woodland No Place Like Home & Emergency Shelter Projects
HHSA partnered with the City of Woodland and Friends of the Mission to submit an application for No Place Like Home (NPLH) funds. The Woodland project will build 60 total units, 29 of which will be dedicated for NPLH. The proposed site for this project is on City-owned property located at County Road 102 and East Beamer Street. Woodland is in pre-development stages of the project, focusing on finalizing the overall finance package for the non-NPLH units. HHSA received $5,320,732 in funds for launching the Woodland NPLH development. Additionally, HHSA will provide an in kind match of staffing to the project to support 29 of the 60 units for 20 years at an estimated cost of $9.8-$11.6 million.
Additionally, the City of Woodland is currently exploring expediting the expansion and relocation of existing emergency shelter capacity. On November 19, 2019 the Woodland City Council directed their staff to develop funding requirements for the construction and relocation of services for an emergency shelter operated by Fourth and Hope. The proposed shelter would serve as phase one of the NPLH project and consist of a roughly 6,000 square foot structure with adjacent portable trailers for food service, showers, laundry and toilets. The intent is that the structure would be upgraded and expanded when the transition to the permanent shelter model occurs. The emergency shelter project is estimated to be completed and operational within 6 months from initiation with a rough estimate of construction costs at $1,000,000. Operating costs are currently being determined. Draft site plans for NPLH and for the phase one emergency shelter are provided in Attachment C.
The County Administrator’s Office and HHSA have been coordinating with the City on the project and propose providing $500,000 towards construction of the facility utilizing Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant funds in the current fiscal year 2019-2020. These grant funds are awarded through the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council for the purpose of supporting regional coordination and expanding local capacity to address immediate homelessness challenges.
Woodland Downtown Streets
Downtown Streets is an evidence based best practice approach to homelessness, providing innovative services and effective supports. The model is a one-year transitional program into permanent housing and employment. Participants are formed into teams that are encouraged to take an active role in supporting their community, their own recovery and creating long-term solutions for their peers. There is an inherent public benefit of a cleaner community through team beautification projects such as street cleaning and creek restoration. Team members receive a non-cash stipend to help cover their basic needs, while receiving case management and employment services, with the ultimate goal to transition team members into employment. The City of West Sacramento has a current contract with Downtown Streets.
Yolo County could partner with the City of Woodland to fund the start-up of Downtown Streets for up to 12 individuals living homeless in Woodland. The projected total cost is approximately $330,000 with an estimated start date of July 1, 2020. The District Attorney’s Office has committed to providing $175,000 to initiate the project. Staff recommend that the County enter into negotiations with Downtown Streets to prepare a pilot project in the City of Woodland and a financing package to bring back to the Board of Supervisors at a future date. The County recently submitted a grant for matching funds for cities that expressed interested in Downtown Streets projects. Any grant funds that are received for this project would be included in the finance plan or utilized to reduce any draw on County funds.
City of Davis Projects
Davis Respite Day Services
HHSA is partnering with the City of Davis on a new respite day services location for individuals experiencing homelessness in Davis, as recently approved by their City Council. The County contribution includes one In-Kind Case Manager, through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Navigation Services contract with CommuniCare Health Centers. The Navigation Services are an extension of the HHSA Behavioral Health “Front Door” (Access to Care), so this Case Manager will be an ideal fit at the respite day services site. In addition, one of the HHSA Homeless Services Team staff will provide support focused on individuals living homeless in Davis and the surrounding area. HHSA will provide approximately $385,000 to the new Davis Respite Day Services pilot project, of which $260,000 is for in-kind support services through those two positions, with the additional $125,000 proposed to be funded through County Intergovernmental Transfer funds. A draft site plan is provided in Attachment D: Draft Site Plan-Davis Respite, but is subject to change.
Davis Transitional and Permanent Housing Project
Davis Community Meals is currently in process on a proposal to reconstruct 1111 H. Street to create additional transitional and supportive housing units. The proposed development is called Paul's Place and is currently undergoing review of land use entitlements by the City of Davis. The City has an affordable housing covenant on the 1111 H. property. Pending project approval, there will be a need for interim housing and staff space for the existing operations while the project undergoes construction. Originally, the County offered to rent portables for this short-term need. However, an opportunity has arisen with a duplex adjacent to the project coming on the market for purchase (see Attachment E: Draft Site Location-Davis Duplex).
The City of Davis is interested in purchasing the adjacent duplex at 1101 H. Street to utilize for a range of affordable housing needs, including interim operations and housing, and long-term for permanent family, transitional, or supportive housing. This proposal more closely aligns with our Yolo County Plan to Address Homelessness and offers a long term opportunity for housing that the community would not have had with the prior request.
As such the County has offered to participate in the purchase of the duplex instead of the previously offered portables. The price of the duplex is $650,000 and the County share will be $375,000 and funded through a combination of Intergovernmental Transfer funds, HHS Emerging Needs funds, and HHAP grant funds. The attached MOU with the City of Davis establishes the covenants and restrictions for the use of County funds for purchase of the property, which will be owned by the City of Davis (see Attachment F: Agreement-Davis). It also addresses part of the County contribution for respite services.
City of West Sacramento Project
West Sacramento No Place Like Home
The County partnered with the City of West Sacramento and Mercy Housing to submit an application for NPLH funds. These MHSA funds are for development of permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental health conditions and histories of homelessness. HHSA must provide MHSA in-kind wrap-around services for a minimum of 20 years to clients in the NPLH units and received $7,045,015 in MHSA funds for the project. The in-kind contribution of staff time is estimated at approximately $12.8-$16.4 million over 20 years. Mercy’s West Sacramento project will build 85 total units, 41 of which will be dedicated for NPLH. HHSA was recently notified by Mercy that they are in final stages of their project’s financing, and plan to break ground on the new development in April 2020. A draft site plan may be found in Attachment G: Draft Site Plan-West Sacramento NPLH, but is subject to change. HHSA staff will begin the application process with eligible clients starting in the summer of 2020. |
The County contribution and source of funds for each of the projects discussed is displayed in the table below. Staff are recommending approval of a budget resolution to utilize $1,000,000 in County funds for FY 2019-2020 to assist with implementation of three housing projects: Woodland Emergency Shelter, Davis Respite Day Services, and Davis Transitional and Permanent Housing (See Attachment H: Budget Resolution). The funding sources include Intergovernmental Transfer Funds ($250,000), Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant funds ($525,000), and HHS Emerging Needs ($225,000).
| Project |
County Contribution |
Funding Source |
Requested for Appropriation |
| Woodland No Place Like Home |
$5,320,732
(Plus In Kind Support) |
- MHSA Funds |
Not Applicable |
| Woodland-Emergency Shelter |
$500,000 |
- HHAP Funds ($500,000) |
- HHAP Funds ($500,000) |
| Woodland Downtown Streets |
$330,000 |
- District Attorney’s Office
($175,000) |
Not Applicable-
Staff to return to the Board with a financing package |
| Davis Respite Day Services |
$385,000 |
- Intergovernmental Transfer
Funds ($125,000)
- In-Kind Support of two FTEs
($260,000) |
- Intergovernmental Transfer
Funds ($125,000) |
| Davis Transitional and Permanent Housing |
$375,000 |
- HHAP Funds ($25,000)
- Intergovernmental Transfer
Funds ($125,000)
- HHS Emerging Needs
Funds ($225,000) |
- HHAP Funds ($25,000)
- Intergovernmental Transfer
Funds ($125,000)
- HHS Emerging Needs
Funds ($225,000) |
| West Sacramento No Place Like Home |
$7,045,015
(Plus In Kind Support) |
- MHSA Funds |
Not Applicable |
| TOTAL |
$13,955,747 (Plus In Kind Support) |
$1,000,000
- Intergovernmental Transfer
Funds: $250,000
- HHAP Funds: $525,000
- HHS Emerging Needs:
$225,000 |
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