Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County to provide housing case management, program housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by the Department of Social Services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $2,350,000; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($235,000) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $2,585,000.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County to provide housing case management, program housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by the Department of Social Services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $2,350,000; and
b. Authorize the Director or designee of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($235,000) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $2,585,000.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this agreement is to provide temporary housing subsidy funding to the Housing Resource Center of Monterey County (HRC) to provide housing case management, housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by the Department of Social Services (DSS) for the Housing Support (HSP) and Family Stabilization (FS) programs.
DSS 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 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.
Additionally, DSS placements are supported by intensive case management, housing search, and landlord engagement services provided each month by experienced Case Managers and Housing Specialists. The program has a proven track record of assisting vulnerable families with overcoming barriers to attain stable, permanent housing and continues to work toward the goal of ending homelessness for CalWORKs families in the County of Monterey. Permanent housing includes subsidized & unsubsidized rentals, room shares, and other supportive housing options as available. HSP promotes housing stability for families in the CalWORKs programs by assisting families working towards achieving self-sufficiency.
From July 2024 through March 2025, the HSP & FS programs have provided services to a total of 665 individuals consisting of 407 children and 258 adults and moved 71 families into permanent housing. During the same timeframe, HRC administered $1,084,263 in direct financial assistance through the HSP and FS programs. Direct financial assistance supports costs for rent, security deposits, utilities, moving, and other housing supports.
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.
FINANCING:
This agreement is funded by the CalWORKs Housing Support and Family Stabilization allocations. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues for SOC005 are included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates with the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors 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, Management Analyst II, x3584
Approved by: Roderick Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Agreement
The proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.