|
|
|
|
|
|
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
|
Human Services Agency
|
|
|
DATE:
|
May 10, 2007
|
BOARD MEETING DATE:
|
May 22, 2007
|
SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
|
None
|
VOTE REQUIRED:
|
Majority
|
|
|
TO:
|
Honorable Board of Supervisors
|
FROM:
|
Beverly Beasley Johnson, J.D., Director, Human Services Agency
Elsa Dawson, Director, Central Region
|
SUBJECT:
|
Grant from Metropolitan Transportation Commission
|
|
|
RECOMMENDATION:
|
Adopt a Resolution to accept a two year grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the amount of $250,000 and the term July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009 to continue the Ways To Work Transportation Assistance Program for low-Income residents of San Mateo County.
|
|
|
VISION ALIGNMENT:
|
Commitment: Create opportunities for every household to participate in our prosperity.
|
Goal (17): All households experience real gains in income.
|
|
|
The Ways To Work Transportation Assistance Program for low-income residents contributes to this commitment and goal by helping vulnerable residents of San Mateo County achieve a better quality of life by providing loans to attain or maintain self-sufficiency.
|
|
|
Performance Measure(s):
|
|
|
Measure
|
FY 2007-08
Target
|
FY 2008-09
Target
|
Provide Loans to Low-Income Persons
|
40
|
40
|
BACKGROUND:
|
The Ways To Work (WtW)Family Loan Program, in operation since 1998, provides low-interest loans to help low-income families cope with expenses that interfere with their ability to maintain self-sufficiency. WtW provides loans to help families with the purchase of a reliable and safe automobile to get to work on time, repairs for their automobile, and/or car insurance. These loans help families establish a positive credit history, reduce work missed, reduce time in transit to work and increase their opportunities to attend job-related education programs. Applicants who are approved for loans also receive financial management counseling to learn how to make the most of their income.
|
|
|
In March 2006, The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County announced the call for projects for the San Mateo County Lifeline Transportation Program. This program is designed to help low-income residents by funding transportation projects that improve mobility within the community. The Human Services Agency worked collaboratively with the Family Services Agency and submitted a proposal to fund a Transportation Assistance Program for low-income residents. In January 2007, HSA was notified that the project proposal was approved by the MTC board in December 2006.
|
|
|
DISCUSSION:
|
The overall goal of the Ways To Work Family Loan Program is to help low-income working families overcome financial barriers and provide the opportunity to obtain and utilize a reliable means of transportation (i.e. purchasing a reliable automobile to get to work on time, repairs to an existing automobile, securing auto insurance) which may enhance their ability to achieve self-sufficiency. This program benefits employers as well as, as low-income borrowers are at less risk for absences, interrupted productivity and high turnover. By providing low-income individuals with affordable loans for transportation and financial management counseling, WtW enhances their ability to demonstrate improved reliability, attendance, job performance and increased effectiveness without interference of personal problems.
|
|
|
FISCAL IMPACT:
|
The grant from Metropolitan Transportation Commission is for the term of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009 in the amount of $250,000, which will fully-fund the WTW Program. Of the total amount, $125,000 will be included in the FY 2007-08 Recommended Budget and the remaining amount will be included in the FY 2008-09 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost.
|
|
|