Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #1 to Agreement #A-16398 with the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County by adding $1,210,680 of Housing Support Program funds for a new contract total of $4,710,680 for Housing and Family Stabilization Support Program services with no change to the contract term; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to (3) future amendments to this amended Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($471,068) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $5,181,748.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #1 to Agreement #A-16398 with the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County by adding $1,210,680 of Housing Support Program funds for a new contract total of $4,710,680 for Housing and Family Stabilization Support Program services with no change to the contract term; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to (3) future amendments to this amended Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($471,068) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $5,181,748.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Amendment #1 adds $1,210,680 of CalWORKs Housing Support Program funds to the agreement with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County for a total contract amount of $4,710,680. The agreement provides housing case management, housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by Monterey County Department of Social Services for the Housing Support and Family Stabilization programs. Homelessness and housing instability in the CalWORKs program is a challenging problem that impacts children’s well-being and their parents’ ability to successfully engage in employment and progress towards self-sufficiency. Demand for intensive rapid rehousing services has exceeded capacity since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and cautious oversight of remaining one-time funding allocated to Monterey County for this program is available to support the remaining surge of community need. The program is set to scale back assistance for future funding years due to reductions in the overall state budget for this service and this additional funding is not ongoing.
Since implementation in 2014, the Housing Support Program (HSP) for CalWORKs program participants has provided services to over 1,400 families which include over 3,000 children and over 1,800 adults. In July 2021, HSP expanded program eligibility and services to include clients who are at-risk of homelessness. Families at-risk of homelessness and those experiencing homelessness receive comprehensive case management services and housing support that includes rental assistance, security deposits, interim housing, utility assistance, landlord intervention, housing search, and employment resources. To be eligible for HSP services a family must have at least one member in their household who is eligible and active with CalWORKs services and be homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless within fourteen days.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this Agreement. County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded by the CalWORKs Single Allocation and Housing Support Program funds. Sufficient Appropriations are included in the 001-5010-SOC005 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by providing services that support families in obtaining stable and permanent housing and ultimately better health and quality of life.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
Economic Development
_ Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Alex Soltero, MAII, X 3584
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director. x4430
Attachment: Housing Resource Center Agreement EXECUTED
Housing Resource Center Amendment #1 PROPOSED
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.