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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03311987 - 2.6 To'. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator Contra Costa DATE: March 27 , 1987 County SUBJECT: Report on Contra Costa County Homeless Programs SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(_S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION Accept this report on Contra Costa County homeless programs. ; BACKGROUND The plight of the homeless, while not new, has, through the efforts of concerned citizens, public agencies, the media and the homeless themselves, received an increasing amount of attention at all levels. Because homeless programs are being provided by many organizations and agencies concerned for the welfare of the homeless, the purpose of this report is to provide a broad overview of some of those programs. Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) - This agency operates an Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Administered by the United Way of the Bay Area, $204, 393was allocated in February, 1987 to 25 Contra Costa non-profit agencies for food and shelter for the indigent and homeless. On March 9 United Way was informed that, through H.J. Resolution 102, an additional $114, 585 was allocated to Contra Costa County for a total allocation of $318 ,978. These funds are distributed by a Local Board through an application process only to those agencies who currently provide emergency food and shelter services. California Department of Housing and Community Development This Department' s Emergency Shelter Program provides grant money for emergency shelter providers to assist homeless persons. The United Way administers the Request for Proposal process and recommends qualified agencies to the State who may then contract with the agency. The Volunteers of America has been recommended for $77 ,890 to provide a shelter in West County. Hands Across Contra Costa - In May, 1986 approximately $22,000 was raised by Contra Costa citizens in concert with the national Hands Across America fund raising effort on behalf of the homeless. Of the proceeds nearly half, or about $10,000, went to CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: jZZV RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER S I GNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON March 31, 1987 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER X In addition to accepting the report, the Board DIRECTED the County Administrator to work with the Suicide and Crises Intervention Services for determination as to how the grant from Hands Across. America will be allocated and interfaced with funds proposed- by the Board; and also DIRECTED the County Administrator to apply for a supplemental grant from Hands Across America. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT I AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED March 31, 1987 County Administrator - PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY V" ��• � -,DEPUTY M382/7-83 -2- the Community Food Coalition and an equal amount to the newly created Office on Homelessness with the balance of $2,200 going to the Hands Across America organization. The Food Coalition is an agency which receives donations and purchases food from growers and wholesalers then distributes it county-wide through member food pantries directly to the needy. The Office on Homelessness plans to provide shelter services to other agencies as well as directly to the public. Contra Costa Task Force on Homelessness - Created by the Board of Supervisors on May 13 , 1986, the Task Force established the Office on Homelessness using Hands Across Contra Costa funds. Its major projects are 1) establishment of a revolving loan fund for rental assistance, 2) an information and referral service, and 3 ) an advocacy program. The Office is housed at the United Way facility in Concord and has one part-time paid staff and six volunteers. It has received additional staff support through the Housing Authority and will receive CDBG funding. A non-profit agency supported by the Task Force, Shelter, Inc. , has received State non-profit status and its Federal status is pending. This. agency will solicit and use public and private resources for homeless programs thoughout the County. Social Services Department - The Social Services Department provides programs in accordance with Federal and State law and policies adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Examples of such programs are Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamps, General Assistance and County Emergency Assistance. In addition, the Family Need/Housing Assistance Program, originally started by the Northern California Grant Makers, is administered by the Social Service Volunteer Program and provides rental assistance to avoid eviction or to reunite families whose children are in foster care. Alcohol/Drug Abuse/Mental Health Division - The State has allocated the A/DA/MH Division $500,000 to develop programs for the homeless mentally disabled. These programs include three multi-service center sites. While these services are being implemented, a short-term, limited voucher system has been developed. A central advisory committee and three regional advisory committees have been developed to oversee the programs and to provide a community base of support. The A/DA/MH Division also serves individuals who become homeless due to drug and alochol addictions. The Division funds several programs, such as drug, alcohol and mental health residential programs which also serve homeless people. Community Development Department - The Community Development Department Advisory Committee recognizes that Contra Costa County may utilize 1987-1988 Community Development Block Grant funds in serving the needy. Among recommended activities are: Housing Counselling, Reverse Annuity Mortgage Program, Housing Rehabilitation, Rental Rehabilitation, Mobile Home Repairs, Housing Crisis Prevention and Property Acquisition. Community Agencies - Twenty-eight community non-profit agencies have indicated to the United Way that they are currently providing emergency food and shelter to citizens in the County. Many others are known to be providing emergency housing for specialized populations. In addition, many churches throughout the County operate food pantries and/or provide shelter vouchers. The Richmond Rescue Mission provides shelter for 188 persons on a regular basis and 43 more persons on an emergency basis funded jointly by the County and City of Richmond. The Housing Alliance assists with rent and mortgage payments. -3- Other - The City of Walnut Creek has provided $15,000 to the Richmond Rescue Mission for shelter services. The Cities of Concord, Richmond and Walnut Creek have Community Development Block Grant funds, some of which are used for housing assistance and counselling. Service clubs such as the Soroptomists as well as private donors are providing funds to many community agencies to assist the homeless. 1