Sponsor: Housing Stability
Title
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Grant Agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Heading Home Ramsey Continuum of Care Planning Grant
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Recommendation
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1. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Heading Home Ramsey Continuum of Care lead agency planning, for the period upon execution, to August 31, 2025, in the amount of $162,042.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
4. Approve an increase in the personnel complement by 2.0 Full Time Equivalent positions within the Housing Stability Department for the duration of the grant.
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Background and Rationale
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South Metro Human Services (doing business as Radias Health) was awarded the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Planning Grant in 2016. Serving only as the recipient of the grant, Radias Health sub-awarded this grant to Catholic Charities, who dedicated the funding toward a full-time Housing Assessor position for single adults and youth being served by the organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, funding from the CoC Planning Grant was split between Catholic Charities and Minnesota Community Care (MCC). Catholic Charities continued to use its funding to employ a Housing Assessor, while MCC put its share of the grant toward hiring a Community Engagement/Mobile Assessor.
In 2023, both sub-recipient organizations decided they no longer wished to administer the HUD CoC Planning Grant. To preserve funding, the Ramsey County Housing Stability Department (HSD) met with administrators from HUD to discuss options and was permitted to take over the HUD CoC Planning Grant originally awarded to South Metro Human Services.
The grant will be used to hire new staff positions equivalent to 2 FTEs to support the Ramsey County Coordinated Entry for Youth and Singles (CEYS) program. CEYS is the direct assistance priority list management team serving youth and single adults. CEYS assists clients with accessing assessment points, communicating list placement, matching clients to housing referrals, assisting with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) needs, troubleshooting match needs, and sending and receiving housing referrals to and from providers. Additionally, the work to support this team will include:
• Assisting clients with accessing CEYS assessment entry points and determining eligibility, including being certified to administer and complete new assessments and assessment updates.
• Communicating and clarifying housing needs.
• Assisting with client documentation.
• Navigating client to potential mainstream housing options.
• Coordinating potential matches with housing referrals and provider partners with CEYS Priority List Managers.
• Supporting Housing Support principles and advocacy for clients with community partners and providers.
• Assisting with HMIS needs and updates.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Of the forty-five percent identified as African American, 36 percent as White, 17 percent as American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 5 percent as Asian American, the Housing Stability Department is committed to serving unsheltered Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), as this is the largest population affected by homelessness in Ramsey County. Most recently, the department has brought on five new culturally specific organizations for the services of navigation, shelter, operations, and landlord engagement. The department also engages regularly with paid consultants in the areas of youth engagement, engagement with BIPOC communities, including American Indian and African American and LGTBQIAP2+.
Community Participation Level and Impact
As a part of the 2024 Needs Assessment, in-depth interviews were completed with 32 individuals across the Heading Home Ramsey Continuum of Care. These included program managers, client-facing staff, and clients or program participants. Interviews represented a multitude of racial, ethnic, and gender identities. From these interviews, 9 themes were generated describing the present state of the CoC and demonstrating differences in experiences and perceptions. These themes and findings are being used in the present strategic planning process to attain greater equity and inclusion in the CoC.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☒ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The $162,042 grant award will be used to support the Ramsey County Coordinated Entry (CEYS) Program. The grant will provide funding for 2.0 FTE staff positions used for assessment and case management. HSD is requesting 2 FTE positions and will use levy dollars to supplement the additional .5 as needed for the work. This funding will be included in the Housing Stability Department's 2025 operating budget.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Continuum of Care Program (CDFA# 14.267) Grant Agreement.
2. Ramsey County Housing Stability Letter to the United States Department of Urban and Housing
Development.
3. Heading Home Ramsey Grant Acceptance Letter