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2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> As detailed in Attachment 1, there was an early issuance of Food and Nutrition (SNAP) benefits <br /> for February and those households will not receive additional funds until sometime in March, <br /> even though the shutdown ended. For some of these families, managing their funds so they do <br /> not run out of food before the March issuance will be problematic. Information about this <br /> situation has been sent to clients by the state, and the Orange County Department of Social <br /> Services (DSS) is answering phone calls from the public about their concerns. The guidance the <br /> County is receiving (see Attachment 1) is to encourage families to stretch these resources and <br /> that the funds will remain on their cards for the usual twelve months. <br /> Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) continues to take and process new <br /> applications and these can be approved since the shutdown ended. If another shutdown <br /> occurs, USDA would again be in the position to run out of funds for new applicants. <br /> For these reasons, DSS anticipates additional requests for food, particularly after February 15th. <br /> Although food pantries appear to be stocked fairly well for now, it is unlikely that they would be <br /> able to support this higher demand. Although the shutdown ended for three weeks, a food <br /> shortage is still possible during the transition. It is difficult to estimate how many of the 5,000 <br /> local households would need assistance until the March distribution. If another shutdown <br /> occurs, all households would be impacted and there would be a monthly loss of $1.1 million until <br /> such time as USDA can release funds. <br /> It appears there may be some movement to adopt legislation to release Temporary Assistance <br /> to Needy Families (TANF) and child care (has passed House and Senate). That passage would <br /> assure continuance of Work First checks and staff costs paid by TANF. If not, another <br /> shutdown could have significant impacts starting in March. Another impact if this continues past <br /> February would be lost revenue to support staff working in Food and Nutrition services or in <br /> programs supported by TANF. Orange County could lose approximately $122,000 in <br /> administrative funds for Food and Nutrition and another $166,000 from TANF each month of the <br /> shutdown. <br /> In terms of the County's response, DSS suggests promoting food drives starting in mid-February <br /> and continuing until food benefits are issued again. DSS has convened the various <br /> organizations with food pantries or other food resources to coordinate efforts to meet this need. <br /> There may also be a need for emergency funds to assist families impacted by the early <br /> distribution or by another shutdown. Any funds provided by the County for food will not be <br /> reimbursed by federal or state agencies. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT <br /> The government shutdown has negatively impacted the work being undertaken in the Housing <br /> and Community Development Department (H&CD) in two (2) ways, including the following: <br /> Funding for FY18-19 HOME projects will be delayed. Therefore, the four (4) entities awarded <br /> funding will not be able to start their projects as anticipated in January 2019. The entities and <br /> award amounts are as follows: <br /> Community Home Trust — $60,000 <br /> EmPOWERment, Inc. — $145,000 <br /> Habitat for Humanity— $60,000 <br />