Memorandum
Date: August 11, 2020
To: The Honorable Moke Simon, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Todd Metcalf, Director, Department of Behavioral Health Services
Subject: Consideration of Resolution Authorizing a Joint Application by the County of Lake and the Elijah House Foundation for the California Department of Housing and Community Development Homekey Grant Program
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
The Homekey Program is an extension of Project Roomkey, which successfully helped California jurisdictions provide interim housing for individuals experiencing homelessness exacerbated by the additional complications related to a high-risk to COVID-19 exposure.
This program transitions the community’s focus to assisting jurisdictions in the development of permanent solutions to the homelessness crisis. Together with the Elijah House Foundation, the County has an opportunity to apply for grant funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to acquire and rehabilitate a structure to house homeless individuals and/or those most at risk for serious illness due to COVID-19.
Elijah House plans to seek Homekey funding to purchase and rehabilitate the Starlight Hotel Resort property located between Lucerne & Clearlake Oaks on State Highway 20. The property includes 4 structures containing multiple units with the ability to comfortably house an estimated 26 persons.
Elijah House also intends to seek Homekey operational funding to provide low barrier housing at the Starlight property, following the Housing First model. Housing will be available for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless, who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond providing low barrier housing, the Elijah House Foundation plans to offer behavioral health and drug alcohol recovery services on site at the Starlight facility. Housing will be in no way contingent upon drug alcohol recovery program participation.
The Elijah House Foundation is currently operating the only emergency Homeless Shelter in Lake County providing a place for homeless to Shelter in Place during the pandemic. Due to the nature of the shelter contract which places a time limit on the operations of the shelter in its current location, Elijah House is seeking more permanent facility locations in Lake County. The Starlight property is one such facility though its use is not intended for shelter services it will offer permanent housing for about 5% of the homeless population as defined by the most recent annual homeless census count.
These monies will help the Elijah House Foundation leverage its expertise in drug, alcohol and behavioral health services to support and work with Lake County Behavioral Health Services and other existing agencies located within Lake County to break the cycle of generational poverty and addiction.
Department of Behavioral Health Services does not expect additional budgetary or staff expenditures.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☒ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution authorizing a joint application by the County of
Lake and the Elijah House Foundation for the California Department of Housing and Community
Development Homekey Grant Program.