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1 <br /> 2 ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br /> 3 As detailed in Attachment 1, there was an early issuance of Food and Nutrition (SNAP) benefits <br /> 4 for February and those households will not receive additional funds until sometime in March, <br /> 5 even though the shutdown ended. For some of these families, managing their funds so they do <br /> 6 not run out of food before the March issuance will be problematic. Information about this <br /> 7 situation has been sent to clients by the state, and the Orange County Department of Social <br /> 8 Services (DSS) is answering phone calls from the public about their concerns. The guidance <br /> 9 the County is receiving (see Attachment 1) is to encourage families to stretch these resources <br /> 10 and that the funds will remain on their cards for the usual twelve months. <br /> 11 <br /> 12 Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) continues to take and process new <br /> 13 applications and these can be approved since the shutdown ended. If another shutdown <br /> 14 occurs, USDA would again be in the position to run out of funds for new applicants. <br /> 15 <br /> 16 For these reasons, DSS anticipates additional requests for food, particularly after February <br /> 17 15th. Although food pantries appear to be stocked fairly well for now, it is unlikely that they <br /> 18 would be able to support this higher demand. Although the shutdown ended for three weeks, a <br /> 19 food shortage is still possible during the transition. It is difficult to estimate how many of the <br /> 20 5,000 local households would need assistance until the March distribution. If another shutdown <br /> 21 occurs, all households would be impacted and there would be a monthly loss of$1.1 million <br /> 22 until such time as USDA can release funds. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 It appears there may be some movement to adopt legislation to release Temporary Assistance <br /> 25 to Needy Families (TANF) and child care (has passed House and Senate). That passage <br /> 26 would assure continuance of Work First checks and staff costs paid by TANF. If not, another <br /> 27 shutdown could have significant impacts starting in March. Another impact if this continues <br /> 28 past February would be lost revenue to support staff working in Food and Nutrition services or <br /> 29 in programs supported by TANF. Orange County could lose approximately $122,000 in <br /> 30 administrative funds for Food and Nutrition and another $166,000 from TANF each month of <br /> 31 the shutdown. <br /> 32 <br /> 33 In terms of the County's response, DSS suggests promoting food drives starting in mid- <br /> 34 February and continuing until food benefits are issued again. DSS has convened the various <br /> 35 organizations with food pantries or other food resources to coordinate efforts to meet this need. <br /> 36 There may also be a need for emergency funds to assist families impacted by the early <br /> 37 distribution or by another shutdown. Any funds provided by the County for food will not be <br /> 38 reimbursed by federal or state agencies. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT <br /> 41 The government shutdown has negatively impacted the work being undertaken in the Housing <br /> 42 and Community Development Department (H&CD) in two (2) ways, including the following: <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Funding for FY18-19 HOME projects will be delayed. Therefore, the four (4) entities awarded <br /> 45 funding will not be able to start their projects as anticipated in January 2019. The entities and <br /> 46 award amounts are as follows: <br /> 47 Community Home Trust—$60,000 <br /> 48 EmPOWERment, Inc. — $145,000 <br /> 49 Habitat for Humanity— $60,000 <br />