Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Iliana Rodriguez, Interim Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Mental Health Association for Temporary Rent Assistance for Older Adults
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) An agreement with Mental Health Association of San Mateo County to provide a temporary rental assistance program for older adults for the term of December 3, 2019 through June 30, 2021 in an amount not to exceed $150,000; and
B) The Director of the Human Services Agency or designee to execute amendments to said Agreement which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $100,000 (in aggregate) during the same term for the purpose of expending Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds by June 30, 2021 as mandated by Health and Safety Code Sections 50214 and 50215.
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BACKGROUND:
The Human Services Agency (HSA) coordinates homeless services throughout the County of San Mateo. HSA also serves as the lead agency in the County for the Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) and is the administrative entity for Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), which is a one-time block grant program funded by the State of California.
HSA was awarded a HEAP grant in the amount of $4,933,138.71 by the State of California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) to address the emergency needs of homeless individuals and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness by providing services such as rapid re-housing, rental assistance or subsidies, capital improvement to shelter facilities, and services for youth experiencing homelessness.
On June 19, 2019, guided by the priorities of the County's strategic plan on homelessness and with opportunities to fund new or enhanced services with the awarded HEAP funding, HSA released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for homeless services, including homeless financial assistance for adults who are 60 years or older and are experiencing housing instability and are either at risk of homelessness or are currently experiencing homelessness.
Mental Health Association (MHA) of San Mateo County was chosen as the vendor that would best meet the needs and provide services to this target population.
DISCUSSION:
MHA’s temporary assistance rental program for older adults will provide homelessness prevention financial assistance, such as payments towards rent costs for one or up to three months (may be partial rent payments), payment for utility arrears, and other one-time payments for costs related to housing stability and deposit assistance for homeless households moving into housing. The financial assistance can be used towards a deposit and/or first month’s rent costs or other move-in expenses for a housing unit (apartment or rented room) for which the household has signed a lease.
The goal of the program will be to help older adults who are experiencing a housing crisis to maintain their housing or to move into new housing that has been identified by the client.
The approval of these funds will allow HSA to provide critical services to older adults in San Mateo County who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
It is estimated that 85% of households that receive financial assistance and are contacted will remain housed six months after move in. The goal of this agreement is to serve a total of 40 individuals in at least 30 households between December 3, 2019 and June 30, 2021.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY19-20 Target (12/03/19 - 06/30/20) |
FY20-21 Target (07/01/20 -06/30/21) |
|
Percent of clients who are contacted 6 months after receiving services Of those contacted, percent who are housed at six months after move in. |
50% 85% |
50% 85% |
|
Number of individuals served |
15 |
40 |
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Number of households served |
15 |
30 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this Agreement is from December 3, 2019 through June 30, 2021. This Agreement is funded using 100% of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) State of California grant. Budgetary appropriation for this Agreement is included in the FY 2019-20 Adopted and FY 2020-21 Approved Recommended budget.