Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County for $1,000,000, for the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, to provide housing case management, program housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by Monterey County Department of Social Services; and
b. Authorize the 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% ($100,000) of the original 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 of the Department of Social Services to sign an agreement with Housing Resource Center of Monterey County for $1,000,000, for the period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, to provide housing case management, program housing search, placement support, and rental subsidies for CalWORKs customers referred by Monterey County Department of Social Services; and
b. Authorize the 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% ($100,000) of the original 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.
In 2014, FS became a new component of the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Program that provides intensive case management and services to clients that meet the criteria set forth in AB 74. FS is designed 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 light of the flexible WTW 24-Month Time Clock through more intensive case management and the assignment of clients to the additional activities or barrier removal services 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.
Also in 2014, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) received special authority to launch a new HSP program. Per Senate Bill (SB) 855 (Chapter 29, Statutes of 2014), housing support in the CalWORKs program is necessary to assist families working towards achieving self-sufficiency. Homelessness and housing instability in the CalWORKs program is a challenging problem that impacts children’s well-being and their parents’ ability to engage in employment. The objective of the CalWORKs HSP program is to promote housing stability for families in the CalWORKs program.
Since implementation in 2014, the HSP and FS programs operated by HRC have provided services to over 680 families which include over 1,400 children and over 800 adults. The HSP has assisted over 170 families move into permanent housing, administering over $1,450,000 in direct financial assistance. Permanent Housing includes subsidized rentals, unsubsidized rentals, room shares, and other supportive housing options as available. Placements have been supported by intensive case management, housing search, and landlord engagement services provided each month by experienced Case Managers and Housing Specialists. In the current program year HSP has made significant improvements in service delivery and capacity compared to previous years including:
• Increased program capacity of active cases being served from approximately 40 families to 60 families in any given month.
• Significantly reduced waitlist times to under 30 days. Average program waitlist in term ending June 2017 was 92 days.
• Administered direct financial assistance to an average of 19 families a month with monthly rental payments, security deposits, utility payments, and move in costs.
• Increased service delivery to ensure Case Manager contact each month with every active case and Housing Specialist contact each month with every active case still seeking housing.
In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, HRC has placed over 50 families into permanent housing, more than in any previous year of the program’s operation. The program has made considerable progress in assisting vulnerable families overcome barriers and attain stable, permanent housing and continues to work towards the goal of ending homelessness for all CalWORKs families in Monterey County. This agreement continues the scope from previous years and it is anticipated that there will be continued success.
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 estimated revenue and appropriations in 5010-8262-SOC005 are included in the FY 2018-19 Recommended Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Homelessness is an issue that has compounding effects on those experiencing it and the average life expectancy for individuals experiencing homelessness is 25 years less than those in stable housing. Services that support families in obtaining stable, permanent housing create a pathway to other systems that can ultimately lead to 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: Lauren Suwansupa, x3584
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director of Social Services, x4430
Attachments: Housing Resource Center FS/HSP Agreement
Proposed agreement is on file with Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report