Impacted by COVID-19 tell us about it through our SURVEY
California Awards $100 Million to Cities, Counties and Continuums of Care to Help People Experiencing The first $100M is going to cities, counties, and CoCs for addressing homelessness during COVID. The award  notifications  were sent out yesterday – see below for the press announcement and links to the award amounts.  Funds should be out April 1 st The underlying executive order is  available here
 
As the press release indicates, “The funding is intended for measures to help prevent and contain COVID-19 and can be used for medically indicated services and supplies, such as testing and hand-washing stations. It can also be used for such things as acquiring new shelters, supplies and equipment for emergency shelter operations, increasing shelter capacity, street outreach, and acquiring locations to place individuals who need to be isolated because of COVID-19 illness or exposure.” I know many of you have needs for cleaning and paper products for the shelters, and for additional hotel/motel stay funding, and those should fit neatly into the intent of this funding.
 
Remember the carve out of 8% still applies but its on the overall amount. So if a community chooses to use this first piece for non-youth, they can. Their overall allocation will need to have youth covered.

“Shelter in place” is not just the operative phrase—it’s the best advice from medical experts and the order handed down by Governor Newsom. There’s just one problem—if our leaders don’t act fast, hundreds of thousands of Californians may have no shelter at all. With layoffs mounting and potentially thousands more on the horizon, it's more important than ever that we make sure people aren't getting hit with rent increases or evicted when having a home is so crucial.

California officials typically receive about 2,000 unemployment applications a day, but Governor Newsom has said our state is currently receiving about 100,000 every day. That's only the beginning of what could be a devastating summer for countless renters across the state if we don't act. We know those struggling the most are the first to lose their homes. If they do, they’ll not only be at higher risk of becoming sick—they’ll be more likely to pass on the virus to neighbors. Homes and health go hand in hand, and we can’t have one without the other. For those who are already experiencing homelessness, sweeping an encampment will only put them at further risk of becoming sick.

That’s why Governor Newsom must immediately take action to ensure everyone has a safe, stable home where they can “shelter in place.” We have already seen the state secure a 90-day moratorium on mortgages. Now, let's urge the governor to take the next step and protect renters from losing their homes too.  Can you take a moment to email Governor Newsom?  Ask him to tackle housing affordability and homelessness through proven measures like a moratorium on rent hikes, evictions, and encampment sweeps. Families also need support through rental assistance and permanently affordable homes that ensure all Californians can safely shelter in place.
Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelters

Per  AB 1235 (Chu, 2019)  the licensed community care facilities known as “Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelters” have been renamed “Youth homelessness prevention centers." Another key change that we wanted to highlight for our members is that youth are permitted to stay in the Center  for up to 90 consecutive days  (previously, statute limited to 21 consecutive days). With COVID-19 and shelter-in-place orders, we wanted to bring this change to your attention. Changes to the regulations will be forthcoming, but you will not be out of compliance if you let youth stay up to 90 consecutive days. If you experience any challenges with CCL, please  email us  and we can assist you with the issue.
US Senate Passes Emergency Package
Homelessness Funding Included

Yesterday, the Senate passed the  CARES Act   in a 96-0 vote. It is now up to the House to take action on this $2 trillion coronavirus relief package focused on health care and the economy. This funding is not yet law or final.
 
Funding for homelessness was included in the bill that passed the Senate. In summary:
  • $25 million for carrying out activities under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
  • That such amounts shall be used to supplement, not supplant, existing funds and shall be available without regard to matching requirement.
  • $30 billion in emergency education funding for colleges and universities, states and school districts.
  • Funds may be used for activities authorized under the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth Programs.
  • $4 billion for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Emergency Solution Grants (ESG) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts created by coronavirus.
  • By September 30, 2020, any remaining unobligated FY 2018 HUD Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP) funds shall be available until September 30, 2021, on a non competitive basis for completing funding awards pursuant to the FY 2018 YHDP.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Youth Drop-In Center - Request for Application

The Budget Act of 2019 provided the Commission $14,589,000 to support the establishment or expansion of integrated mental health youth drop-in centers which provide mental health and wellness services for individuals between 12-25 years of age and their families.

Not-for-profit organizations, educational entities, or health care districts may apply for a grant if designated by the county, city, or multi-county behavioral health department. Funds may be used to supplement but not supplant local funding for youth drop-in centers. Applications Due April 24, 2020, by 4:00 pm. Read More...
Information, Reports, News, Events & Webinars, More..
  • PDF | Overall Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program (HHAP) – HHAP requires a minimum of 8% of the grant for a city, county or CoC to be dedicated towards youth. This spreadsheet breaks down the 2019 PIT count data to show the percentage of youth experiencing homelessness from your CoC. If your community has a youth population greater than 8%, we encourage you to advocate for a more representative share of the funds.  Funding Breakdown.
  • Report | Together We Can Build a Healthy California for All
  • Report | UCLA partnership report, we see you, spotlighting students experiencing homelessness in California.
  • Report | LAHSA's Report and Recommendations of the AD HOC Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness
  • Resource | List of court emergency orders court, granting of holidays and extending court deadlines. County Court orders are approved by the Chief Justice.