Project Roomkey (PRK) Noncompetitive Need-Based Allocations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Were Announced Last Week
Must notify CDSS via email (housing@dss.ca.gov) of intent to resume or
establish a PRK no later than August 20, 2021 to request funds
The announcement by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) notified counties and federally recognized tribal governments operating a Project Roomkey (PRK) initiative of funding ($142.5 million) available to continue providing Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy non congregate shelter and rehousing services in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22.
Continued Goal
The continued goal of the PRK and Rehousing Strategy is to ensure the safety of people vulnerable to COVID-19 and those who test positive for or are exposed to COVID-19 while ensuring that all participants have access to permanent housing assistance.
Noncompetitive Need-Based Allocations
The CDSS determined a FY 2021-22 noncompetitive need-based allocation for counties and tribes operating a PRK based on occupancy reports submitted to CDSS on June 28, 2021, and subsequently certified by the county or tribe. Allocation amounts are calculated proportionate to the statewide number of occupied units as of June 28, 2021, or a base allocation of $75,000, whichever is greater for operational programs.
The FY 2021-22 allocation amounts are displayed in Attachment One in announcement.
Required Rehousing Plan
In October 2021, CDSS will release a template PRK rehousing plan and require counties and tribes receiving funds to complete the rehousing plan for existing PRK participants, to be returned to CDSS no later than January 31, 2022. Additional information and assistance to complete these plans will be provided by CDSS and contracted technical assistance providers. Other periodic surveys or requests for information may be required by CDSS on an as-needed basis.
Timeline
Counties and tribes wishing to resume or begin program operations must notify CDSS via email (housing@dss.ca.gov) of their intent to resume or establish a PRK no later than August 20, 2021 to request funds and then submit a signed Director Certification September 10, 2021 that will be provided by CDSS.
Counties and tribes wishing to accept the FY 2021-22 PRK and Rehousing allocation must review and complete the FY 2021-22 PRK and Rehousing Strategy Director Certification (Attachment Two in announcement) and return to housing@dss.ca.gov no later than September 10, 2021.
All counties and tribes wishing to accept, or request, funds must submit a completed Director Certification no later than September 10, 2021.
CDSS will review all requests for funds and issue a County Fiscal Letter (CFL) with final allocation amounts in September 2021.
In October 2021, CDSS will release a template PRK rehousing plan and require counties and tribes receiving funds to complete the rehousing plan for existing PRK participants, to be returned to CDSS no later than January 31, 2022.
The funds available for the PRK and Rehousing Strategy described in (announcement) are one-time funds and must be encumbered by June 30, 2022.
Miscellaneous Info
Counties and tribes will continue to utilize an invoice form to request a reimbursement or cash advance, and to document actual expenditures of funds that have previously been advanced.
Counties and tribes may use funds awarded through this allocation to both continue operating non-congregate shelters as well as support rehousing exits from PRK sites.
Local governments are strongly encouraged to continue working with their fiscal counterparts and applicable partners to identify how best to use all available local, state, and federal funding to secure and maintain hotel/motel rooms for NCS and engage in critical rehousing efforts. Key partners include cities, housing and public health agencies, homeless Continuums of Care (CoC), behavioral health, and emergency response agencies.