Report 2020-112 Recommendation 18 Responses

Report 2020-112: Homelessness in California: The State's Uncoordinated Approach to Addressing Homelessness Has Hampered the Effectiveness of Its Efforts (Release Date: February 2021)

Recommendation #18 To: Fresno, Housing Authority of the City of

To comply with federal regulations and ensure that its CoC's decisions reflect a variety of perspectives, the Fresno City Housing Authority should, by August 2021, coordinate with its CoC to ensure that the CoC's board is representative of all relevant organizations.

1-Year Agency Response

The Fresno Madera Continuum of Care performed further research on this recommendation. It finds that it is in compliance with HUD regulations. CFR 578.5(a) states "...Relevant organizations include..." In no part of this regulation does it state that said organizations are mandatory.

However, again as we look at racial disparities, the FMCoC decided to create and recruit for a Lived Experience Committee where those with lived experience and people of color can assist to make funding, process and housing decisions.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending

As we discussed in our report, although federal regulations do not specify the number of members the CoC board must have, they require that the board must include at least one person who is currently or has been homeless and that, in addition, the board must be representative of 15 types of relevant organizations within the CoC's area, including nonprofit homeless assistance providers, faith-based organizations, and social service providers. Having the interests of these relevant organizations represented helps ensure that a board will take into account these perspectives when making decisions related to critical issues, such as funding priorities, policies, and strategies to address homelessness. As such, we believe that Fresno City Housing Authority should coordinate with its CoC to ensure that the CoC's board is representative of all relevant organizations.

6-Month Agency Response

The Fresno Madera Continuum of Care performed further research on this recommendation. It finds that it is in compliance with HUD regulations. CFR 578.5(a) states "...Relevant organizations include..." In no part of this regulation does it state that said organizations are mandatory.

However, as part of the planning process and the Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Availability, the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care plans to seek wider community input. CoC NOFA has just been released, we will attempt completion in 2021

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

As we discussed in our report, although federal regulations do not specify the number of members the CoC board must have, they require that the board must include at least one person who is currently or has been homeless and that, in addition, the board must be representative of 15 types of relevant organizations within the CoC's area, including nonprofit homeless assistance providers, faith-based organizations, and social service providers. Having the interests of these relevant organizations represented helps ensure that a board will take into account these perspectives when making decisions related to critical issues, such as funding priorities, policies, and strategies to address homelessness. As such, we believe that Fresno City Housing Authority should coordinate with its CoC to ensure that the CoC's board is representative of all relevant organizations.

60-Day Agency Response

The Fresno Madera Continuum of Care performed further research on this recommendation. It finds that it is in compliance with HUD regulations. CFR 578.5(a) states "...Relevant organizations include..." In no part of this regulation does it state that said organizations are mandatory.

However, as part of the planning process and the Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Availability, the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care plans to seek wider community input. It is expected the CoC NOFA will occur in Summer/Fall 2021.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

As we discussed in our report, although federal regulations do not specify the number of members the CoC board must have, they require that the board must include at least one person who is currently or has been homeless and that, in addition, the board must be representative of 15 types of relevant organizations within the CoC's area, including nonprofit homeless assistance providers, faith-based organizations, and social service providers. Having the interests of these relevant organizations represented helps ensure that a board will take into account these perspectives when making decisions related to critical issues, such as funding priorities, policies, and strategies to address homelessness. As such, we believe that Fresno City Housing Authority should coordinate with its CoC to ensure that the CoC's board is representative of all relevant organizations.

All Recommendations in 2020-112

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.