Title
Adopt a resolution to authorize an agreement with Community Homeless Solutions to operate a temporary navigational center that provides non-congregate shelter, housing navigation, and rapid re-housing to the current Pajaro non-congregate shelter program participants who were displaced by the March 2023 Pajaro flood, effective September 27, 2023 through March 27, 2024 in the amount of $1,030,000; authorize the Auditor-Controller to issue out an advance of $150,000 for start-up costs; and increase appropriations for the Department of Social Services to fund the agreement($1,030,000) (4/5ths Vote).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Community Homeless Solutions to operate a temporary navigational center that provides non-congregate shelter, housing navigation, and rapid re-housing to the current Pajaro non-congregate shelter program participants who were displaced by the March 2023 Pajaro flood, effective September 27, 2023 through March 27, 2024 in the amount of $1,030,000; and
b. Authorize and Direct the Auditor-Controller to issue out a payment to the Community Homeless Solutions in the amount of $150,000 upon execution of the agreement for development and implementation of the program; and
c. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller to amend the Social Services Community Program (001-5010-SOC004-8258) Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget increasing appropriations by $1,030,000 financed by either:
1. A decrease from General Fund contingencies (001-CAO020-8034)
OR
2. A release from the Strategic Reserves (001-3111) (4/5ths vote).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this agreement is to transfer oversight and operations of the temporary non-congregate shelter (NCS) serving people displaced by the March 2023 Pajaro flood. The goal of this service is to provide 0-6 months of temporary shelter with comprehensive wrap-around services and housing navigation/rapid re-housing for current NCS occupants at the new shelter location known as the Pajaro Temporary Navigation Center (PTNC).
Thirteen households remaining in the temporary NCS are the most vulnerable of the disaster survivors. To transition out of temporary shelter, they require the assistance and expertise of the homeless service provider network. To date, these households have had some interactions with homelessness services through disaster case management with Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey and/or Community Bridges. Many of the households have pending applications for the Emergency Housing Voucher and have established relationships with the Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL). The purpose of the PTNC is to provide temporary shelter while participants receive intensively focused professional housing navigation to transition them into permanent housing within a six-month time frame.
The key service component of Community Homeless Solutions’ operation of the Pajaro Temporary Navigation Center (PRNC) will be case management with a focus on permanent housing placements. The Agency will assume responsibility for program operations which includes program oversight, hotel room management, transportation, and accommodations for disabilities and access/functional needs. Community Homeless Solutions has identified a network of collaborative partners who will assist with the multitude of wrap-around services necessary to meet participant needs. Case management and housing navigation will be provided by the staff from Community Homeless Solutions, housing navigation and rapid re-housing will be provided by Central Coast Center for Independent Living, and meals will be provided by Victory Mission, respectively.
The total cost of this agreement is $1,030,000 and requires a payment of $150,000 in “start-up” costs upon execution of the Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreements as to form, as has the Auditor-Controller’s Office as to financial provisions. Monitoring and project implementation will be provided in partnership with the County Administrative Office. The County Administrator’s Office - Budget Office reviewed the recommended actions. This item received approval from the Chair of the Board of Supervisors Budget Committee on August 29, 2023 to bypass the committee.
FINANCING:
The Department is requesting an increase in appropriations of $1,030,000 for Social Services Community Programs Budget 001-5010-SOC004-8258 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. There are two funding options that the Board of Supervisors can choose from to finance the appropriation increase:
1. A decrease from General Fund contingencies (001-CAO020-8034) which has a current balance of $2,112,758,
OR
2. A release from the Strategic Reserves (001-3111) which has a current balance of $27,215,479.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Public Safety, Health & Human Services, and Administration Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing access to safe shelter and housing navigation services to vulnerable residents of Monterey County.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, Community Affiliation Manager x8492
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director x4430
Attachments: Agreement
The proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.