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Consider recommendations regarding ratification of a Letter of Intent to State Housing and Community Development (HCD) and Execution of Agreement with United Way of Santa Barbara County (United Way) for an Emergency Rental Assistance Program Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act Funds, as follows:
a) Ratify the “Letter of Intent” executed by the County Executive Officer on July 15, 2021, and submitted to the State by the July 27, 2021 deadline, indicating Santa Barbara County’s intent to receive a block grant from the State HCD Department to administer an emergency rental assistance program locally;
b) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute a County Subrecipient Agreement in the amount of $4,201,614.00, with United Way, utilizing Federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding for administration and implementation of an emergency rent and utility assistance payment program for qualifying Santa Barbara County residents; and
c) Determine that the above actions are not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), because they consist of the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment; and are otherwise exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269 as it consists of a specific action necessary to mitigate an emergency.