Noah (staff) told the task force that Tulare and neighboring counties resubmitted corrected HAP‑6 applications and expect a state response by the first week in December. He said many counties received revision requests; Tulare identified a funding gap in the inventory of interim housing sites that HCD required be closed for a successful application.

"When we did that analysis, our gap was around $2,000,000," Noah said, and HHSA reviewed internal funding streams and determined it could fund the gap if the application is awarded. Staff described this as a necessary but unanticipated fiscal requirement from the state and said HHSA’s willingness to cover the gap is a significant boost to the county’s application prospects.

The item was informational and not an action item. Staff asked the task force to note that, while the gap would be closed if awarded, the underlying requirement reflects HCD’s expectations that counties demonstrate a plan to cover residual costs beyond HAP funds. No final award decision had been made by the end of the meeting.