COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

Office of Housing

DATE:

June 22, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 27, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen Borland, Director, Human Services Agency
Steve Cervantes, Director, Office of Housing

SUBJECT:

Approve an Agreement with Human Investment Project (HIP Housing) for the operation of the Self-Sufficiency and the Homesharing Programs

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution:

1. Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with Human Investment Project (HIP Housing) in the amount of $313,000 for the operation of the Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP) and the Homesharing Program for the term of July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005; and

2. Authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed $25,000 and to make minor changes in the types of services and activities provided by HIP Housing under the Agreement.

Background

HIP Housing started to administer the SSP as a result of one of the HSA SUCCESS subcommittees that convened in the mid-1990s in anticipation of the Welfare Reform. The SSP’s main goal continues to be the short-term shallow housing subsidy offered to highly motivated clients desiring to move toward economic self-sufficiency from a welfare-subsistence level. The housing subsidies are, and have always been, marketed as “Housing Scholarships” that require clients participation in an intensive case-management program promoting self-sufficiency.

The Homesharing Program provides assistance to finding permanent affordable housing to clients in San Mateo County. Once a client contacts HIP Housing for assistance with permanent affordable housing, they are scheduled for an interview to complete the appropriate paperwork, receive referrals and to coordinate a meeting to draft the Living Together Agreement. Once this Agreement is completed the client can move in to their new home. Follow-up contacts with placed clients are made twice a year and/or quarterly if the home provider is a senior (this service is called match follow-up). Mediation services are also made available if there is a dispute between client and landlord.

The HIP Housing applied for funding through the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and was recommended for funding by the Housing and Community Development Committee (HCDC) Committee for inclusion in the FY 2004-05 CDBG Action Plan.

On May 4, 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved the HIP Housing for inclusion in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2004-05.

Discussion

Funding provided under this Agreement shall be used by HIP Housing to administer the SSP and the Homesharing Program.

These programs provide housing resources and supportive services to extremely low-income families. The mission of both programs is to create stability for clients in order to promote job achievement, retention and advancement through the provision of housing resources and supportive services, thereby enabling participants to reach and maintain self-sufficiency. Clients accepted into SSP may either enter HIP Housing owned, managed shared housing or scattered site housing, which provides Section 8 rental vouchers to these participants.

This Agreement has been approved by the County Counsel's Office, and meets U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. Risk Management has reviewed and approved the Contractor’s insurance coverage.

Vision Alignment

This action keeps the commitment to: Offer a full range of housing choices; and goal number 9: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families. The action contributes to this commitment and goal by offering mid-term housing assistance to low-income individuals highly motivated to achieving an economic level relatively free of dependence on conventional forms of public assistance.

Fiscal Impact

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. These programs are included in the Office of Housing Recommended Budget for FY 2004-05. The County’s total obligation under this Agreement is $313,000, of which $220,000 is from CalWORKS for the SSP and $93,000 is from CDBG for the Homesharing Program. There is no Net County Cost.