Title
Receive an oral report from the Department of Social Services regarding County efforts and opportunities to strengthen services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Presenters: Glorietta Rowland, Management Analyst II and Lauren Suwansupa, Community Affiliation Manager
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health and Human Services Committee receive an oral report from the Department of Social Services regarding County efforts and opportunities to strengthen services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Presenters: Glorietta Rowland, Management Analyst II and Lauren Suwansupa, Community Affiliation Manager
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Department of Social Services (DSS) compiled a summary of homeless services, collaborations, and activities that includes services either directly administered by DSS, through partnering with another county department, or subcontracted through a local community based organization. In presenting this information, it is recognized that homelessness remains a serious issue confronting our community and continuing development of resources is needed to close the gap in services for the homeless and people living in inadequate housing in the community. Programs proposed to assist in closing existing gaps in homeless services include:
1. Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds.
The California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) recently announced the launch of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), a $500 million block grant program designed to provide direct assistance to cities and counties to address the homelessness crisis throughout California. HEAP is authorized by Senate Bill (SB) 850, which was signed into law by Governor Brown in June 2018. Funding estimates based on total homeless enumerated during the 2017 Point-in-Time census indicate the “Salinas/Monterey, San Benito Counties” jurisdiction is eligible to receive approximately $12.5 million in HEAP funding.
On August 28, 2018, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Departments of Monterey County to collaborate with the Continuum of Care (CoC) to apply for and receive funding through HEAP. The Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) was released on September 5, 2018. The CoC must submit the application by December 31, 2018. The County of Monterey will partner with the CoC as Administrative Partner to provide fiscal management, distribution, and oversight of HEAP funding. The CoC is leading the process and is actively preparing the application now including gathering community input by organizing community events across the county.
2. Year-Round Shelter
The Department of Social Services, in partnership with the City of Salinas, has operated a Winter Warming Shelter for the past four years. The Board of Supervisors approved extending the operation of the warming shelter, located at 111 W. Alisal, Salinas through February 2019 while planning the development of a permanent, year-round shelter. The Board of Supervisors approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and the City of Salinas to work collaboratively on developing and operating a year-round homeless shelter and permanent supportive/transitional housing while also extending the current warming shelter while these projects are being developed. Recent numbers indicate full occupancy of the warming shelter by men, women, and families.
3. Safe Parking Program
The Monterey County Safe Parking Program at 2616 First Ave., Marina officially opened on December 15, 2017. The Safe Parking Program was implemented as a response to community complaints and concerns regarding persons living in their vehicles in an area just north of the City of Marina. Orphan Productions, a 501c (3) community based organization presently contracts with Department of Social Services to administer the Safe Parking program. Use of the program has continued to increase and presently has reached capacity. The program provides participants a safe parking space to sleep in their vehicle and offers case management services that include job search, housing search, and other support as uniquely identified. Portable hygiene, security and garbage facilities are on-site to support the program’s operation. Options to extend services are being evaluated with the results expected to be brought to the Board of Supervisors in November 2018.
4. Monterey County Homeless Census
Every two years, during the last two weeks of January, communities across the country conduct comprehensive counts of the local population experiencing homelessness. The biennial Point-in-Time counts of sheltered and unsheltered persons are required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all jurisdictions receiving federal funding to provide homeless services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Monterey County receives approximately $2 million in Continuum of Care federal funding that supports county non-profit shelter and homeless service providers. Census numbers are also utilized by state and other funding sources to determine the level of funding. The January 2017 census count found 2,837 individuals experiencing homelessness in Monterey County. The next Monterey County Homeless Census will be conducted in January 2019.
5. Additional Homeless Services Activities Funded through DSS
Dorothy’s Place Drop-In Center: The Department of Social Services subcontracts with Franciscan Workers to operate Dorothy’s Place Drop-In Center, 10.5 hours/day 7 days/week, providing a warm, dry shelter during the day with meals, showers, restrooms, laundry, mail, phone, clothing, and hygiene supplies in the same facility. This agreement includes Franciscan Workers providing community- based case management services for Housing Support encounters to enrollees and/or potential enrollees of Whole Person Care throughout Dorothy’s Place programs. $277,500.00
Continuum of Care Administration: The Coalition of Homeless Services Providers is contracted to conduct Continuum of Care (CoC) coordination activities, administer the Coordinated Assessment and Referral System (CARS), act as point of contact for jurisdictions regarding outreach to homeless encampments, and conduct activities relevant to the Lead Me Home, Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. $557,462.00
Youth Homeless Shelter: The Community Human Services Youth Shelter provides a year-round shelter for homeless youth between 18- 24 years of age on the Monterey Peninsula. The program conducts the Vulnerability Assessment (VI-SPDAT) to connect homeless youth with the Coordinated Assessment and Referral System (CARS) and provides support needed to access counseling, substance use education, education, and employment assistance often requiring a specialized approached to most effectively engage a young population. $30,000.00
Rapid-Rehousing for CalWORKs Families: Since implementation in 2014, the Housing Support Program (HSP) and Family Stabilization (FS) Program for homeless CalWORKs families has 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 alone. In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, HRC placed 65 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 has set a goal to house 80 families in the current 2018-19 contract. $1,000,000.00
Women’s Emergency & Domestic Violence Shelter: Community Homeless Solutions operates a 24-hour emergency homeless shelter for women and children who are facing emergency homeless situations or who are survivors of domestic violence. The program provides women and children entering the shelter with a furnished room and supportive supplies as needed including, but not limited to, food, clothing, laundry and sundries. $41,475.00.
Gathering for Women, Day Services: A Gathering for Women is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula by providing daily critical supportive resources designed to reduce immediate harm. Services provided include meals, laundry, showers, clothing, emergency assistance, case management, and referrals, in addition to guidance and clothing for job interviews. $30,000.00
Community Homeless Solutions, Homeless Services and Outreach: Community Homeless Solutions provides street outreach, operation of a day-service center, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and case management to persons experiencing homelessness in all regions of the county. Community Homeless solutions also provides violence prevention intervention. $67,500.00
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Social Services, and the CAO have been partnering with the City of Salinas to develop collaborations to strengthen homeless services throughout the county. These efforts are under the oversight of the CoC Lead Me Home Leadership Council.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the County General Fund with receipt of this update.
Prepared by: Glorietta Rowland, MAII, x4484
Approved by: Henry Espinosa, Acting Deputy Director, x4430