Despite declining federal funds to address housing needs, San Mateo County is committing the majority of it for fiscal year 2024-25 toward affordable housing, community development and public service projects.
These allocations are outlined in the county’s Annual Action Plan, which shows how U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development entitlements and other revenue sources will support housing initiatives in the county. These entitlements are awarded through the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investments Partnership Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program.
Though specific allocations for 2024-25 have yet to be finalized, the estimated amount to work with is $8,433,760. Per staff recommendation, $2.4 million will be allotted to support three affordable housing developments.
The next considerable portion of funds will address public facilities and minor home repairs. Though many applicants for these funds are consistent over the years, Department of Housing Supervisor Karen Coppock said that a notable applicant was Climate Resilient Communities, slated to receive $60,000.
“In addition to the traditional minor home repair projects that all the other parties do, they also are going to be working on decreasing utility bills for low-income individuals and seniors via energy, water conservation and weatherization projects,” Coppock said.
About 10% of funds are allotted for services that support those experiencing homelessness, such as rapid rehousing and shelter operations.
The county’s commitment to addressing homelessness was further supported by a recent award of $14.1 million by Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand services and remove encampments and Coppok said staff will be intentional with their approach when finalizing contracts.
“I know the county has been working on best practices for rapid rehousing,” Coppock said. “When we use the contracts, which we negotiate in July and August, it will give us an opportunity to incorporate those best practices into the program design and this next contract.”
About 5% of funds will be allocated for public services, economic development and fair housing. Applicant CALL Primrose is slated to receive $25,000 to provide nutrition services to low-income residents, allowing them to prioritize their money on rent.
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In addition, staff recommends six different programs for the last round of the Equity Innovation Fund projects funded through Measure K, estimated to be $555,068. The Equity Innovation Fund hopes to specifically foster new approaches that “integrate greater equity that meet the needs of our most vulnerable and diverse populations.”
For example, the county plans to allocate $60,000 to One Life Counseling Center to advance equity in the mental health workforce by hiring more counselors who speak Spanish.
The smallest portion of proposed funding allocation is the distribution of the Permanent Local Housing Allocation fund. This fund is generated through transfer tax, or when someone buys property in the county. Each year, the county spends half of this amount on services for persons experiencing homelessness, and the other half goes toward affordable housing funds. The county plans to provide the Human Services Agency $289,997 for the El Camino House shelter and development of the Navigation Center program.
HUD entitlements to the county have consistently declined over the past 20 years. For the current 2023-24 fiscal year, the county received $4.18 million from HUD, which was $200,000 less than the previous fiscal year, and 20% less than the $5.1 million the county received 30 years ago — without adjusting for inflation.
Still, since the county began receiving CDBG funds in 1994, more than 500,000 community members have been helped and 4,362 affordable housing units preserved.
“It’s really exciting, the impact and the big numbers,” Coppock said. “They may be shrinking but the impact still has been pretty significant.”
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