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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 12-14-21; 6-a - Fiscal Year 2021-22 American Rescue Plan Act Allocations Round 2 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 14, 2021 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2021-22 American Rescue Plan Act Allocations Round 2 DEPARTMENT: Finance and Administrative Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Attachment 1. ARPA Allocations Travis Myren, (919) 245-2308 Attachment 2. Project Summaries Gary Donaldson, (919) 245-2453 Rebecca Crawford, (919) 245-2152 PURPOSE: To approve the next allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding to projects, also known as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLRF). BACKGROUND: The Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides direct allocations to local governments. Orange County is designated to receive approximately $28.8 million. The first draw down of approximately $14.4 million was approved by the Board of Commissioners on a budget amendment on June 1, 2021. The second draw down will occur before the end of the current fiscal year. ARPA funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and must be fully expended by December 31, 2026. The ARPA funds are intended to broadly address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals, government agencies, organizations, and small businesses. The Treasury Department has issued interim guidance on the use of ARPA funds for local governments. This guidance establishes five broad categories for potential investments: 1. Support public health expenditures, by funding COVID-19 mitigation efforts, medical expenses, behavioral healthcare, and certain public health and safety staff; 2. Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, including economic harms to workers, households, small businesses, impacted industries, and the public sector; 3. Replace lost public sector revenue, using this funding to provide government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue experienced due to the pandemic; 4. Provide premium pay for essential workers, offering additional support to those who have borne and will bear the greatest health risks because of their service in critical infrastructure sectors; and, 5. Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to expand access to broadband internet. County departments were once again asked to submit proposals consistent with the interim guidance and the goals established by the Board of Commissioners in prior funding allocations. County departments submitted requests totaling over $6.4 million. $3,345,793 is recommended 2 for funding in this round based on project eligibility, ability of the project administration to meet required reporting guidelines, and the positive impact on long term recovery in our community. Those projects recommended for funding in this allocation are listed below by department. Project descriptions may be found as an attachment to this item. FY 21-22 Department Program Name Request Round 2 Asset Management Install Point Ionization equipment in new detention center $68,800 Services & Sheriff Economic Development Tourism and Hospitality Recovery $150,000 Emergency Services County First Responder Behavioral Health Program $45,000 Emergency Services Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRS) $124,000 Finance Contract ARPA Coordinator $66,886 Housing Direct EHA Program Expenditures $2,700,000 Housing Housing Helpline Coordinated Entry Specialist $32,202 Housing Landlord Incentive Program $55,000 Information Technologies, Software to administer the Long Time Homeowner $8,905 Tax, & Housing Assistance Program Social Services Food and costs to support distribution and storage $60,000 Social Services Stabilization Program for Former Foster Youth $10,000 Social Services Support for Low Income Families $25,000 Grand Total $3,345,793 ARPA Funding Status Update as of December 14, 2021: • Total Award: $28,839,722 • Total Approved as of June 15, 2021: $8,283,869* • Total Remaining to be Distributed as of June 15, 2021: $20,555,853 • Total FY 2021-22 Round 2 for BOCC Consideration: $3,345,793 • Total Remaining to be Distributed if Round 2 Approved: $17,210,060 *$4,182,392 in previously approved projects were replaced with general fund support after new guidance from the Treasury Department deemed them ineligible or that reporting requirements would cause an undue burden on our local partners. These projects include Outside Agency funding, Visitor's Bureau revenue replacement, Sportsplex revenue replacement, and some Information Technologies projects. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. 3 FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ARPA funding has already been approved and appropriated by the BOCC. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the allocation of ARPA funding for the proposed projects. 4 FY 20-21 FY 21-22 Round 1 Ineligible or Final FY 21-22 FY 21-22 Round 2 Department Program Name Approved Approved Replaced with Round 1 Recommended Reason for Replacement General Funds Approved Aging Senior Lunch Program $ 119,229.00 $ 119,229.00 Replacement Temporary Facility Asset Management Services Modifications $ 51,136.00 $ 51,136.00 Asset Management Services Point Ionization-Detention Center $ 68,800.00 Remote Work costs funded through Child Support Services Teleworking Telephone Expenses $ 7,010.00 $ 7,010.00 $ operating budget County Manager Restartthe Arts Grants $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 Arts Commission Aid to Impacted County Manager Industries $ 16,000.00 $ 16,000.00 Criminal Justice Resource Department ARPA Grant Compliance Position $ 38,751.00 $ 38,751.00 National Deflection Training Criminal Justice Resource Department Conference 11,200 $ $ 11,200.00 $ - Ineligible Criminal Justice Resource Street Outreach,Harm Reduction,and Department/Housing Deflection(SOHRAD) $ 160,000.00 $ 160,000.00 Emergency Assistance for IFC and Too high of administrative burden on Department of Social Services OCIM $ 186,000.00 $ 186,000.00 $ non-profits Department of Social Services Increase in Youth Enhancement Fund $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00 Countywide Food Distribution and Department of Social Services Storage $ 60,000.00 Department of Social Services Stabilization for Former Foster Youth $ 10,000.00 Department of Social Services Support for Low Income Families $ 25,000.00 Durham Tech Community College for Durham Tech Small Business Center $ 70,000.00 $ 70,000.00 Economic Development/Visitors Revenue replacement deemed Bureau Visitors Bureau.Revenue Replacement 560,000 $ $ 560,000.00 $ ineligible Economic Development/Visitors Bureau Tourism and Hospitality Recovery $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 First Responder Behavioral Health Emergency Services Program $ 45,000.00 Powered Air Purifying Respirators Emergency Services (PAPRS) $ 124,000.00 American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) Finance Coordinator $ 66,886.00 EHA Temporary Staff,and Housing Coordinator 325,000 $ 1,601,357.00 $1,926,357.00 $ 2,700,000.00 Housing Affordable Housing-Home Repairs $ 120,000.00 $ 120,000.00 Housing Housing Locator $ 28,810.00 $ 28,810.00 Housing Helpline Coordinated Entry Housing Specialist $ - $ 32,202.00 Housing Landlord Incentive Program $ - $ 55,000.00 Human Rights and Relations Eviction Diversion $ 167,046.00 $ 167,046.00 Government Alliance on Racial Equity Human Rights and Relations Youth Program $ 46,540.00 $ 46,540.00 Human Rights and Relations Language Access Services $ 15,000.00 $ 15,000.00 Technology,CountywideMulti- Revenuereplacement deemed Information Technologies Factor Authentication,and Zoom $ 878,629.00 $ 878,629.00 $ - ineligible Broadband Infrastructure Design and Information Technologies Implementation $ 5,000,000.00 $5,000,000.00 Wifi for Library Checkout to Maintain Software funded through operating Library Collection $ 12,000.00 $ 12,000.00 $ budget Too high of administrative burden on Outside Agency Grants Outside Agency Grants $ 1,729,953.00 $ 1,729,953.00 $ non-profits Planning Offsetting Credit Card Fees $ 7,600.00 $ 7,600.00 $ Credit.Card Charges deemed ineligible Revenue replacement deemed Sportsplex Revenue Replacement 790,000 $ 790,000.00 $ ineligible Long Time Homewoner Assistance Tax/Housing Program 1$ 250,000.00 $ 250,000.00 5 Long Time Homewoner Assistance Tax/Housing Program Software $ 8,905.00 TOTAL 1 1,686,200 10,780,061 4,182,392 8,283,869 3,345,793 6 Attachment 2 ARPA Project Summaries* *Projects Funded as of December 14, 2021 Approved FY 2021-22 Round 1: Senior Lunch Program—Department on Aging: $119,229 This project provides funding to supplement the Senior Lunch Program, which traditionally provides a hot, nutritionally balanced meal daily in a group setting, Monday-Friday for county resident adults 60+. During the COVID-19 Pandemic and County State of Emergency, the meal provision has been altered to 3 days/week drive through service at the 2 Orange County Senior Centers.These funds provide for the continuation of the expanded lunch program. This funding expands the program to meet increased demand and for the drive-through and curbside service to continue as necessary. Participants aged 60 and over are asked to make a voluntary financial contribution to the lunch program but are not required to pay for this service. Replacement Temporary Facility Modifications—Asset Management Services:$51,136 This project provides funding to create permanent facility modifications to county-owned facilities to reduce the spread of SARS CoV2. These will replace temporary modifications made to combat the spread of airborne viruses. Modifications can come in the form of improving airflow, simplifying foot tracking, and installing permanent air barriers. Restart the Arts Grants—County Manager: $100,000 This project provides funding to mitigate business disruptions caused by COVID-19 and provide programmatic support to arts organizations as they begin to re-welcome audiences.The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) distributed the funds through grants to the local arts community.The application period was August 2 through August 31, 2021. The primary purpose of the Restart the Arts program was to assist the nonprofit arts industry which, pre-pandemic, employed 4,000 creative workers and generated $131M in spending in Orange County each year. Because of this, nonprofit arts organizations received funding priority; however, other arts organizations were invited to apply, particularly those whose operations have a high impact in our community through employment,tourism, or services offered to county residents or artists. The following groups were eligible to apply for funding.All applicants were required to be physically located in Orange County, NC. Arts Commission Aid to Impacted Industries—County Manager: $16,000 This project provides funding to the Orange County Arts Commission to support the local art community.These activities will include special events, donation drives, as well as support to artists in the Eno Mill Artist Studios rented by the county. 7 ARPA Grant Compliance Position—Criminal Justice Resources Department: $38,751 This project provides funding for a 0.5 FTE ARPA Grant Compliance Position through FY 22. The position will provide additional administrative support for the Criminal Justice Resource Department as it administers the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction, and Deflection (SOHRAD) program funded by ARPA. Street Outreach, Harm Reduction,and Deflection (SOHRAD)—Criminal Justice Resources Department & Housing and Community Development: $160,000 This project provides funding to continue the work of the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction, and Deflection (SOHRAD)team, which connects with people living unsheltered to work on housing issues and other needs such as connections to healthcare and mental healthcare. Since the team started in October 2020,they have served over 230 people living outside or in a place not meant for human habitation. The service and housing needs of people living unsheltered have been exacerbated greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic.This group represents some of the most medically fragile people in our community- by and large the population is older and aging and have medical complications that put them at high risk for contracting and dying from COVID-19.The SORHAD team rode along with the mobile vaccination unit to connect people living unsheltered with the COVID-19 vaccine—26 people received the COVID-19 vaccine with SOHRAD's help.The team has assisted 60 people to transition from homelessness to housing, and 180 people to funded services like supplies, food, and transportation.The team's Clinical Coordinator provided mental health therapy and other clinical services to 98 people. And the team assisted with over 60 deflections from law enforcement—without this work those 60 people would likely have ended up with involvement in the criminal justice system costing taxpayer dollars. Tourism and Hospitality Recovery—Economic Development: $150,000 This project provides funding to the Orange County Visitors Bureau to aid in the recovery of tourism and hospitality in Orange County.The county's central business district of Chapel Hill and around the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where two-thirds of the tourism, and hospitality industry resides) lost 60%of its tourism revenues during the pandemic because the leading tourism generator is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Recovery will need to include a safe welcome center that serves as an attraction for guests to visit the central business district, learn about Chapel Hill's history and use this experience as a reason for exploring near-by businesses related to the hospitality industry. To answer this call,Visitors Bureau leaders contacted former resident and Grammy winning singer and song writer,James Taylor,whose song "Carolina in My Mind," was written about Chapel Hill. Leaders knew that a new visitor market would be attracted by a personalized welcome from James Taylor, a live rendition of his music, tourism materials related to his favorite things in Chapel Hill, and photo opportunities with his album covers, signed by James, welcoming visitors to Chapel Hill. For recovery to happen in Orange County,tourism leaders must create assets apart from the University of North Carolina.This locale will be in the heart of the Central Business District and Visitors Center leaders are working to add displays and brochures on surrounding local businesses to help this industry recovery. 8 Durham Tech Community College for Small Business Center—Durham Technical Community College: $70,000 This project will provide support for startup and existing entrepreneurs, with special focus on the underserved low to moderate income business community, by providing information and tools needed to develop and scale business ideas through viable, sustainable, profitable, and successful practices.Through the services provided by Durham Tech's Small Business Center(SBC), entrepreneurs receive assistance in business areas such as business planning, marketing, legal, accounting, and financial management. Affordable Housing—Home Repairs—Housing and Community Development: $120,000 This project provides funding to the Orange County Department of Housing and Community Development for assistance to low-income homeowners for urgent repairs and comprehensive housing rehabilitation.To qualify for these programs, applicants must 1) meet income eligibility restrictions; 2) own a property located in Orange County and occupy it as their primary residence; and 3) be current on the property taxes or be on an approved payment plan that is in good standing. Applications can be submitted by email, mail, or in person.These funds expanded the County's ability to finance home repairs to fix imminent threats to health and safety, provide accessibility modifications, and provide larger more comprehensive repairs to homes for homeowners to extend the usable life of their homes. Emergency Housing Assistance and Coordinator—Housing and Community Development: $1,926,357 This project supports the Orange County Emergency Housing Assistance fund and its program coordinator,which was created under the Risk Mitigation and Housing Displacement Fund to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Increased unemployment and underemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people being unable to pay rent and utilities. Assistance is available to households in Orange County that: (1) Earn no more than 30%of the area median income (AMI), (2) Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need. Eligible activities for EHA include rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses.The EHA Program has provided over$6 million in housing assistance to more than 1,500 Orange County residents since March 2020. Housing Locator—Housing and Community Development: $28,810 This project provides funding for 1.0 FTE Housing Locator position to provide client-level assistance in locating units for people exiting homelessness, people with Housing Choice Vouchers, and other people at risk of homelessness who contact the Housing Helpline.The position will work in coordination with the Housing Access Coordinator(HAC)to develop and maintain landlord relationships. This will allow the HAC to focus more completely on system-level landlord recruitment, which is not currently feasible due to demand for providing direct housing navigation support for the more vulnerable residents in housing search with vouchers in-hand. People are searching for units with Housing Choice Vouchers and other rental assistance without being able to locate units. As of September 2021,there are currently 170 households experiencing homelessness who are connected to service providers and in active housing search, up from an average of 102 households in 2019. 9 Eviction Diversion—Housing and Community Development:$167,046 This project provides funding for an Eviction Diversion Attorney who offers free legal counsel to people in eviction proceedings and an Eviction Diversion Expeditor, who connects people facing and at risk of eviction with community resources and funding.The Orange County Board of Commissioners created an Eviction Diversion Program in June 2020 to help eligible county residents avoid eviction as a result of financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and these positions support that program. Government Alliance on Race and Equity(GARE)Youth Program—Human Rights& Relations: $46,540 This project provides funding for a four week summer session bringing together diverse students from each Orange County high school to learn the Government Alliance on Race and Equity(GARE) methodology for advancing racial equity.The youth will identify and engage with diverse groups of youth to develop a long-term recovery strategy from the COVID-19 pandemic for youth led by youth. The program supports the activities of the GARE Countywide Racial Equity Plan and the Countywide Long Term Recovery Plan.These funds will be used to pay stipends and program costs for the session. The Orange County Human Rights and Relations Department will host the session. Language Access Services—Human Rights& Relations: $15,000 This project provides funding for language services and outreach to communities in Orange County on government services and human rights and relations issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.Translations and interpretations are provided through this program to improve the accessibility of services to persons with limited English proficiency. Broadband Infrastructure Design and Implementation—Information Technologies: $5,000,000 This project provides funding to expand broadband internet connections to rural and underserved parts of Orange County.The county has identified 4,234 addresses that are undeserved by broadband providers,with the vast majority in rural census tracts in the county. Long Time Homeowner Assistance Program—Tax Administration and Housing and Community Development: $250,000 The project provides funding for a program to partially offset an increase on property taxes for income-eligible, long time homeowners (must own and have lived on the property for at least 10 years) in Orange County following a revaluation of all property values during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will also be used to create a communications and outreach strategy to share information about the program with County residents. Housing and Community Development Department staff will be primarily responsible for administering the LHA program—collecting applications and supporting documentation from applicants, and verifying program eligibility for each applicant.The Orange County Housing Helpline will play a key role in assisting County residents with completing applications and gathering documentation. The Tax Department will provide some of the eligibility verification details to Housing and Community Development Department staff during application review. Once an application is approved for assistance, Housing and Community Development Department staff will coordinate with 10 the Finance and Administrative Services Department and Tax Department to issue a credit towards the taxpayer's property tax bill. The program has a proposed launch date of October 8, 2021. All applications must be received by S:OOpm on December 15, 2021 to allow time for processing. Youth Enhancement Fund—Department of Social Services: $25,000 This project provides additional funding to the youth enhancement fund to support enrichment programs for children living in low-income families. For several years,the Department of Social Services has paid the fees and other costs for children to participate in recreation, tutoring, and other social programs. Social Workers identify children who would benefit from these activities and work with numerous providers to secure slots for these services. Many of the children participate in camps or organized sports and benefit from the socialization, group membership or individualized attention they receive.The Department of Social Services (DSS) will use the extra funds to serve more children, particularly given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and youth. The Board of County Commissioners endorsed this concept several years ago as a way to provide equity for all children and all program types. DSS anticipates spending or obligating these funds by June 30, 2021. Recommended FY 2021-22 Round 2: Point Ionization—Detention Center—Asset Management Services: $68,800 These funds will provide Point Ionization in the HVAC systems in the new Detention Center. Point Ionization is a useful tool in removing airborne viruses, such as SARS CoV2,from air systems.This should help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in congregate settings such as the detention center. Tourism and Hospitality Recovery—Economic Development: $150,000 This project provides funding to the Orange County Visitors Bureau to aid in the recovery of tourism and hospitality in Orange County.The county's central business district of Chapel Hill and around the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where two-thirds of the tourism, and hospitality industry resides) lost 60%of its tourism revenues during the pandemic because the leading tourism generator is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Recovery will need to include a safe welcome center that serves as an attraction for guests to visit the central business district, learn about Chapel Hill's history and use this experience as a reason for exploring near-by businesses related to the hospitality industry. To answer this call,Visitors Bureau leaders contacted former resident and Grammy winning singer and song writer,James Taylor,whose song "Carolina in My Mind,"was written about Chapel Hill. Leaders knew that a new visitor market would be attracted by a personalized welcome from James Taylor, a live rendition of his music,tourism materials related to his favorite things in Chapel Hill, and photo opportunities with his album covers, signed by James, welcoming visitors to Chapel Hill. For recovery to happen in Orange County,tourism leaders must create assets apart from the University of North Carolina.This locale will be in the heart of the Central Business District and Visitors Center leaders are working to add displays and brochures on surrounding local businesses to help this industry recovery. 11 First Responder Behavioral Health Program—Emergency Services: $45,000 This project seeks to improve mental health care and support for first responders and medical providers. It provides for up to 300 (1 hr.) clinical sessions with a mental healthcare provider experienced with first responders, 5 group debriefings/diffusions, professional development (mental health), and wellness visits in the first year.Additionally,this contract provides support for bolstering a peer support program, which is in development. In subsequent years,the number of visits has been decreased. The first part of the program, 5 critical group defusing/debriefing sessions, includes all first responders who may be involved in a critical incident (EMS,telecommunicators, law enforcement, fire, etc.)The second part of the project is for up to 300 (1) hour clinical sessions specifically for Emergency Services Department employees. Powered Air Purifying Respirators(PAPRS)—Emergency Services: $124,000 This project will provide funding for Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRS), which will replace the need for N95 respirators and annual fit testing.This will outfit Orange County Emergency Services Emergency Medical Services units and South Orange Rescue Squad units. PAPRS provide better protection, allow for prolonged use, provide easier communications, and allow providers to maintain the use of prescription lenses. PAPRS are easier to procure and more resilient than other respirators. The PAPR filter is also more adaptable: can be replaced to match the appropriate threat (chemical, biological, and/or radiological). PAPRs typically have a life span of about 5-7 years when properly maintained.This provides for 70 total units plus all necessary components. American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) Coordinator—Finance: $66,886 This project will support contract analytical staff for coordinated management of all Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds (CSLRF)/ARPA to ensure regulatory compliance, audit compliance, and maximum funding. Emergency Housing Assistance and Coordinator—Housing and Community Development: $2,700,000 This project supports the Orange County Emergency Housing Assistance fund and it's program coordinator, which was created under the Risk Mitigation and Housing Displacement Fund to help Orange County residents with low incomes prevent eviction and homelessness and secure and maintain stable housing. Increased unemployment and underemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people being unable to pay rent and utilities. Assistance is available to households in Orange County that: (1) Earn no more than 30%of the area median income (AMI), (2) Have an urgent need for housing assistance that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) Do not have adequate resources to cover the cost of their housing need. Eligible activities for EHA include rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses.The EHA Program has provided over$6 million in housing assistance to more than 1,500 Orange County residents since March 2020. Housing Helpline Coordinated Entry Specialist—Housing and Community Development: $32,202 This project provides funding for a 0.5 FTE Coordinated Entry Specialist to support the Orange County Housing Helpline (HH). People in housing crisis can contact the Housing Helpline; staff there 12 direct people to the most appropriate resources, including emergency financial assistance, homelessness prevention, homelessness diversion, shelter referrals, and permanent housing referrals through the coordinated entry by-name list. Funding for 0.5 FTE Coordinated Entry Specialist for prevention/diversion work would ensure that there are staff to field the average 1100 calls and 880 emails received each month. Funding for the 0.5 FTE Coordinated Entry Specialist would allow more staff on the Housing Helpline that is inundated with calls since launching in March 2020. Before COVID- 19, Orange County's Coordinated Entry system served about 60 households per month. Since April 2020, the Housing Helpline has served on average of 464 households per month,fielding 9,914 calls and 7,065 emails between April and December 2020. Landlord Incentive Program—Housing and Community Development: $55,000 This project provides funding for the Landlord Incentive Program (LIP), which provides payments directly to landlords signing new leases for Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 holders and residents in search of housing as referred from partner agencies such as Compass, Local Re-entry Council, and others. LIP is managed by the Housing Access Coordinator and has been hugely successful in landlord recruitment. Since the COVID-19 eviction moratorium created stagnation in unit turnover, providing Landlord Incentives for new and renewing leases has proven an effective strategy to create unit availability for people in housing search.The LIP provides up to $1,000 bonus for landlords signing new tenant participants in voucher and OCHCD partner programs and $500 for returning landlords. Long Time Homeowner Assistance Program Software—Tax Administration and Housing and Community Development: $8,905 This project provides funding for software used by staff to administer the Long Time Homeowner Assistance Program, which is a program to partially offset an increase on property taxes for income-eligible, long time homeowners (must own and have lived on the property for at least 10 years) in Orange County following a revaluation of all property values during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countywide Food Distribution and Storage—Department of Social Services:$60,000 This project provides additional funding to the Orange County Department of Social Services to continue to provide access to foods for low-income families, particularly during times when schools or other programs providing food are on breaks.The agency will provide this assistance through mass distributions to families as well as through the pantries operating at each DSS site. These funds will be utilized during the 2021-2022 Winter Break and will all be expended by the end of January 2021.The outcome of these funds is reducing food insecurity for families, one of the main needs identified during the recovery planning process. Stabilization Program for Former Foster Youth—Department of Social Services:$10,000 This project will provide funding to support youth who have graduated from foster care.Youth who have been in foster care can have many issues after leaving foster care. Often they have limited family support and many experience financial instability and behavioral health issues.The Orange County Department of Social Services remains in contact with many of these individuals for years after they leave care and has been able to intervene to stabilize the situation and assure the youth connect to 13 appropriate resources. Most of these youth are not eligible for other foster care funds and the Department of Social Services will utilize these funds to meet some of their needs such as purchasing household items, clothing, and travel funds to return to the community, and short term housing while also providing counseling and referrals to appropriate resources. Support for Low Income Families—Department of Social Services: $25,000 This project will provide funding support to low-income families that have experienced barriers to employment and/or access to essential services created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Department of Social Services will assist in reducing barriers to transportation by directly paying transportation providers, supplying gas cards, paying vehicle repair costs, etc. Other support may include equipment or supplies need for obtaining or retaining employment, emergency needs, items for health and safety, or costs to safely quarantine when necessary. Unassigned: $17,210,060 This funding is reserved for future allocations. All funds must be encumbered by December 2024.