HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11061990 - 1.74 % /. 7 t, /k-
TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: James A. Rydingsword, Social Service Director Cmtra
Costa
November 61 1990
DATE. COJ*
SUBJECT: General Assistance
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AM JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Jodie Bergerr, staff attorney of the Contra Costa Legal Services
Foundation, has written to County Counsel requesting that the County
review its General Assistance grant levels. A copy of that letter is
attached.
The Social Service Department recommends that the Board of
Supervisors refer Ms . Berger's letter to the Social Service Director for
report to the Board 'on December. 4, 1990.
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CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT% YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATUREISI:
ACTION OF BOARD ON November 6 . 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED x OTHER
%,10TE OF SUPIEWISCRS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ASSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES' NOES*. AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ASSENT: ABSTAIN' OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
cc: County Administrator ATTESTED November 6 , 1990
Social Services' PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
County- Counael SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M382/7-83 BY DEPUTY
i
• Law Offices of I' "
Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation
Main Office Telephone
1017 MacDonald Avenue August 23 , 1990 West County (415)2339954
P.O.Box 2289 fast (415)439-9166
Richmond,California 94802 Central (415)372-8209
Fax (415)236-6846
RECEIVZ
Arthur W. Walenta r
Assistant County Counsel
County Administration Building Q_ rr.Ty C_. 1..,.`i
P.O. Box 69 "'A'
Martinez CA 94533
Re: GA Grant Levels
In light of the Supreme Court' s recent dismissal of review in
Poverty Resistance and Guiodotti , we are renewing our claim that
the County ' s current GA levels do not comply with W & I Section
17000. We intend to file a lawsuit in September , 1990 if we are
unable to reach a settlement before that time. The following is
a listing of what we believe are the major inadequacies in the
grant levels .
1) The housing portion of the grant has been determined by a
survey of rents currently paid by recipients . This is
inadequate for the following reasons:
a. The survey previously used fails to demonstrate that
housing is available at the averaged amount. Guiodotti , slip
opn. , 18-19.
b. The survey. previously used improperly includes
subsidized units . Guiodotti , p. 20.
c. The survey" previously used includes recipients whose
cost for housing is not based on market transactions. Guiodotti,
p. 21.
d. The failure to provide a shelter grant to homeless GA
recipients not residing in any shelter violates PRC, slip opn. ,
p. 24 .
e . Making the deposit grant a non-mandatory program
violates PRC, p. 21.
Arthur W. Walenta
August 23 , 1990
Page Two
2) A market study has not been done in many years for the
clothing allowance. PRC, p. 21
3) There is no factual basis for the number of trips allocated
in the transportation portion of the grant .
4) There is no factual basis for the quantities set forth in the
personal needs allowance .
5) The food allowance is not based upon the current Thrifty Food
Plan.
6) The special needs allowance standards have not been set by
the Board and there is no factual basis for the amounts
currently issued.
7) The County only grants the restaurant allowance for two
months nor is there a factual basis for the amounts currently
issued. This violates PRC, p. 24-25 .
If the Board is willing to take the following action, we will
not file suit:
1. Adopt, effective October 1, the following. changes in the
GA standards:
a. Raise ,the food component to reflect the September,
1990 Thrifty Food'. Plan level.
b. Changethe restaurant allowance so that every
recipient without cooking facilities receives the allowance for
as many months as needed.
c. Give homeless GA recipients a housing allowance.
2. Have the Social Services Director prepare a study of
housing costs which complies with the principles of Guiodotti
and PRC including a study of
a. costs for available housing
b. the differences in costs between subsidized housing,
housing provided by friends and relatives below market rate.
3. Have the Social Services Director prepare a current
study of clothing costs, special needs .
Arthur W. Walenta
August 23 , 1990
Page Three
4 . Have the Social Services Director prepare a report on
the factual basis on the number of trips allocated for
transportation and, the items contained in the personal needs
allowance and also' do an updated survey of costs for each
component .
5 . The items set forth in paragraphs 2-4 immediately above
must be completed and reported to the Board in time for a grant
adjustment on November 1, 1990 .
Please let me know as soon as possible the Department 's position
on this matter .
die Berger
aff Attorney
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