Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. A-12810 with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County, adding $250,000, effective January 1, 2017, to continue the Family Stabilization Program and Housing Support Program for CalWORKs recipients, through March 31, 2017 and increasing the total contract amount to $2,337,019.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #4 to Agreement #A-12810 with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County, adding $250,000, effective January 1, 2017, to continue the Family Stabilization Program and Housing Support Program for CalWORKs recipients, through March 31, 2017 and increasing the total contract amount to $2,337,019.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this amendment is to add $250,000, effective January 1, 2017, to continue the provision of services through the CalWORKs Family Stabilization Program and CalWORKs Housing Support Program for housing assistance to eligible CalWORKs families, increasing the total contract amount to $2,337,019 and extending the term of the agreement through March 31, 2017. A Request for Proposals was released on September 22, 2016 to provide a competitive process for selecting a provider that could continue services for this important program. The process of announcing the award and negotiating this new agreement is currently in process however it will not be executed before this contract expires. This amendment will provide the current Sole Source Contractor with additional funding and time to ensure that existing services are not interrupted for these vulnerable families while the new agreement is completed.
The California Legislature and the Governor, recognizing the critical importance of stable housing, appropriated $35 million from the State General Fund to address homelessness and housing instability in the CalWORKs population as part of the Budget Act of 2016. Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) was awarded a share of these funds to continue the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) that currently offers rapid re-housing services to CalWORKs participants, as well as case management to assist families moving towards financial independence. In addition, the CalWORKs program provides a housing component through the CalWORKs Family Stabilization Program (FSP). The FSP serves CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work recipients with comprehensive case management services including housing support, behavioral health services, domestic violence intervention support, legal services child welfare support and employment resources.
Housing Resource Center of Monterey County currently administers the contract for these critical HSP and FSP services. Housing Resource Center collaborates with local resources to provide:
• Landlord outreach, recruitment, and engagement
• Housing search, placement, and retention
• Progressive ongoing case management including monthly office visits and home visits
• Financial literacy education, budgeting and money management services.
Direct financial assistance including rental application fees, rental arrears (up to three months), credit reports, moving expenses, rental payments, security deposits, unexpected financial burdens (emergency car repairs, etc.), utility deposits, and utility payments
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this amendment. County Counsel has approved the amendment as to form.
Due to the late submission of this report, the CAO Budget and Analysis Division was not provided adequate time to review for potential fiscal, organizational, policy or other implications to the County of Monterey.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded by the CalWORKs Single Allocation and Housing Support Program funds. Sufficient estimated revenue and appropriations in 5010-8262-SOC005 are included in the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget. Approval of this action has no impact on the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Lauren Miller, MA ll, x3584
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4430
Attachments: Housing Resource Center, Amendment #4
Proposed amendment is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report