Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or the Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign amendment #1 with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County for Housing and Family Stabilization Support Program services adding $1,960,057.00 for a new contract total of $5,360,057.00; and
b. Authorize the Director or the Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($536,005) of the contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or the Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign amendment #1 with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County for Housing and Family Stabilization Support Program services adding $1,960,057.00 for a new contract total of $5,360,057.00; and
b. Authorize the Director or the Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to this agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($536,005) of the contract amount, and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this agreement is to provide temporary housing subsidy funding to Housing Resource Center of Monterey County (HRC) to provide housing case management, housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) for the Housing Support (HSP) and Family Stabilization (FS) programs.
The Department of Social Services provides intensive case management and services to clients under the FS program to ensure a basic level of stability within a family prior to, or concurrently with, participation in Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities. The goal of the FS program is to increase client success, in consideration of the flexible WTW 24-Month Time Clock, through more intensive case management and the assignment of clients to additional activities and services that remove barriers necessary to ultimately achieve self-sufficiency. Comprehensive case management services include housing support, behavioral health services, domestic violence intervention support, legal services child welfare support, and employment resources.
As of July 1, 2021, the HSP program expanded program eligibility and services to include not only homeless clients, but also those who are at-risk of homelessness. Program expansion was accompanied by a $1,960,057 one-time allocation in addition to the county’s base allocation, which can be used for program expenses through June 30, 2023. Homeless prevention cases for families at risk of becoming homeless will also include those who have not yet received an eviction notice and for those whose housing instability is a barrier to their housing independence and/or child well-being. In order to be eligible to the HSP, a family must have at least one member in the household who is eligible and active with CalWORKs services AND be homeless OR at imminent risk of becoming homelessness within 14 days.
The program and housing support services have not only been critical for overcoming additional COVID-19 related barriers to attaining housing, but also for keeping newly housed families from falling back into homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Program expansion will now facilitate earlier intervention and stabilization to prevent families at risk of losing housing from becoming homeless in the first place.
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. This includes the County’s annual base allocation plus the additional one-time $1,960,057 allocation, which can be expended through June 30, 2023. Sufficient estimated revenues and appropriations in SOC005 are included in the FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget and the FY 2022-2023 Requested Budget. If additional appropriations are needed next year, the department will return to the Board.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates with the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative by providing services that support families in obtaining stable and permanent housing and ultimately better health and quality of life.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Denise Vienne, Management Analyst II, x4484
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachments: Original Agreement
Amendment #1
The proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.