Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required:
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Nina Rhee, Director, Aging and Adult Services
Subject: Acceptance of San Mateo County’s Noncompetitive Allocation of Budget Act of 2022 Funds from the California Department of Social Services for the Home Safe Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of San Mateo County’s noncompetitive allocation of Budget Act of 2022 funds in the amount of $897,589 from the California Department of Social Services for the Home Safe program and the execution of a provider agreement with Institute on Aging for Home Safe program services in the amount of $700,000 for the term of January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
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BACKGROUND:
In 2018, AB 1811 established Home Safe, a locally administered program that aims to prevent or address homelessness among seniors and adults with disabilities. Individuals are eligible for Home Safe if they meet the following criteria: 1) are an Adult Protective Services (APS) client or in the APS intake process; 2) are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness; and 3) voluntarily agree to participate in the program. In 2018, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) awarded funds to 25 grantee counties for a three-year pilot program. San Mateo County applied for, but did not receive, pilot funds.
The California Budget Act of 2021 (Budget Act 2021) appropriated a total of $92,500,000 for Home Safe in FY 2021-22, to be expended through June 30, 2024. On October 15, 2021, CDSS announced noncompetitive allocations based on local need methodology for all 58 counties. San Mateo County accepted the funds allocated in the amount of $897,589, which must be expended by June 30, 2024.
On September 21, 2022, CDSS announced another appropriation of a total of $92,500,000 through the California Budget Act of 2022 (Budget Act 2022). The County is one of the recipients of the appropriation and plans to accept this second round of funding in the amount of $897,589, which must be expended by June 30, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
Housing instability and homelessness among older adults and adults with disabilities in San Mateo County is caused by, among other factors: hoarding and self-neglect, the high cost of housing and living expenses, and the aging of a chronically homeless population. Home Safe will provide the County with additional resources for both immediate intervention and long-term housing supports. Clients whose immediate health and safety is threatened by homelessness qualify for Home Safe when their APS cases have been assigned for investigation, but their full intake has not yet been completed. Home Safe services are not contingent upon the outcome of the APS investigation. After an APS investigation is complete, clients may continue to qualify for Home Safe programs offering longer term assistance from contracted partners and/or County programs.
San Mateo County’s Home Safe program will offer:
1. Intensive case management
2. Housing stabilization
3. Housing navigation
4. Housing direct financial assistance
5. Connection to longer-term supports
Funding is used to cover administrative costs, provide direct financial assistance, and contracting with an agency experienced in providing a continuum of care to address homelessness and administer supportive housing options.
Progress has been incremental since the official launch of Home Safe in January 1, 2022. APS has identified elders and persons with disabilities who have come to the County’s attention due to concerns of abuse or neglect, and who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. APS has also received reports of elder and dependent adults who have immediate housing challenges without cooccurring abuse or neglect. The latter group are often individuals on a fixed income for whom Bay Area housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable. APS will continuously assess clients’ housing needs as it provides Home Safe and protective services.
In October 2022, the County conducted a Request for Proposals process and selected Institute on Aging (IOA) to be its Home Safe service provider. The initial contract will be in the amount of $700,000 through June 30, 2024; further funding will be available to IOA based on its performance. APS will continue to receive Home Safe referrals and screen clients for eligibility and IOA will provide case management, housing stabilization and navigation, direct financial assistance, and connection to longer-term housing supports. IOA will regularly report case status and program statistics to APS.
The agreement and resolution has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County fiscal obligations.
It is anticipated that approximately 15 seniors or adults with disabilities will receive housing support through Home Safe funding during Fiscal Year 2022-23 and 60 seniors during Fiscal Year 2023-24.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Estimated |
FY 2023-24 Projected |
|
Number of seniors or adults with disabilities who receive housing support through the Home Safe program |
15 seniors or adults with disabilities |
60 seniors or adults with disabilities |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The funding term of the contract with IOA is from January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The total amount of the agreement with IOA is not to exceed $700,000 for the 18-month term. The total amount of funds accepted from CDSS for the Home Safe program is $1,795,178, and is comprised of $897,589 from Budget Act 2021 and $897,589 from Budget Act 2022. There is no Net County Cost associated with accepting these funds or with executing the agreement with IOA. The State has waived County match requirements and the costs to provide services is not expected to exceed the County’s Home Safe funding allocation in the amount of $1,795,178.