DATE: June 6, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Amendment to Agreement with Housing Authority of the County of Fresno for CalWORKs Housing Support Program Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment II to Agreement A-15-072-1 with the Housing Authority of the County of Fresno for CalWORKs Housing Support Program services, effective July 1, 2017, to extend the contract term by one year from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, add one optional one-year extension, and increase the maximum by $1,440,000 for a total compensation of $3,937,618.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will extend the current Agreement with the Housing Authority of the County of Fresno for one year (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018), with an optional one-year extension (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019). Approval will allow the Department to leverage ongoing State funding to provide rapid re-housing and case management to homeless California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) families in Fresno County. Financial assistance and wrap-around services are financed entirely with CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) funds, with no Net County Cost.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If the Board does not approve the recommended action, CalWORKs housing support services would discontinue for homeless CalWORKs families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended Agreement for the period of February 24, 2015 through June 30, 2019 is $3,937,618, an increase of $1,440,000, and will be entirely offset with the CalWORKs HSP funding allocation. Sufficient appropriations have been included in the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Organization 5610 and will be included in subsequent requested budgets.
DISCUSSION:
In early 2014, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) received authority from the California Legislature and Governor to launch a new housing support program for CalWORKs families. CDSS requested plans from County Welfare Departments interested in implementing or expanding a housing support program in their counties. The Department submitted a plan to CDSS in August 2014, and was subsequently allocated $854,049 for FY 2014-2015.
On February 24, 2015, through a suspension of competition, your Board approved an agreement with the Housing Authority of the County of Fresno to provide CalWORKs HSP services. On May 24, 2016, your Board approved an Amendment to this Agreement to accept additional funds allocated from CDSS, increasing funding to $850,000 per year.
Homelessness in CalWORKs families presents a grave risk to the well-being of children and greatly limits parents’ ability to seek and maintain employment. One longitudinal study conducted by the University of Chicago found that over a three year period, one in four families receiving Temporary Aid for Needy Families, known as CalWORKs in California, had experienced homelessness. Since its implementation, HSP has become an effective tool in fostering housing retention and combatting childhood poverty in the community.
The Department partners with local school districts to identify homeless CalWORKs families for referral. Once referred, the Housing Authority assesses families through a vulnerability survey and, if necessary, provides temporary housing in a motel. After the family has found permanent housing, financial assistance is provided through time-limited rent subsidies, as well as utility deposits and arrears payments. Ongoing interaction with the clients occurs through monthly case management meetings, which allows the Housing Authority to tailor services to the needs of individual families and foster self-sufficiency.
Since the initiation of the program, there have been over 490 referrals received with more than 330 households assisted. The program has been successful in permanently housing over 273 families. The program is also reporting long-term success with well over 80% of the households placed in permanent housing retaining their housing six months after exiting the program.
This Agreement may be terminated or canceled without cause by giving a thirty (30) day advance written notice to the Department’s Director or Designee. Should there be a change in the State allocation during the term of the Agreement, an Amendment will be presented for your Board’s consideration. The recommended Amendment also changes the name of the vendor to their legal name of the Housing Authority of the County of Fresno, and updates contract language regarding the Single Audit Clause.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #72, May 24, 2016
BAI #47, February 24, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Amendment II to Agreement No. A-15-072-1
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander