REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  June  27, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Law and Justice-21.

SUBJECT:

Second Amendment to the Agreement between the County of Shasta and Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc. for the Administration and Implementation of a Supportive Housing Program Entitled Participants’ Actions To Housing

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Tracie Neal, Chief Probation Officer, (530) 245-6200

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Tracie Neal, Chief Probation Officer

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign an amendment, effective July 1, 2017, to the agreement with Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc. to increase compensation by $30,000 (for a new total not to exceed $682,166) to provide up to three additional rent subsidies for the Supportive Housing Program entitled Participants’ Actions to Housing, and retain the term July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 with two automatic one-year renewals.

SUMMARY

Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, Inc. (NVCSS) was chosen through a competitive procurement process to administer and implement the supportive housing program entitled Participants’ Actions To Housing (PATH). This amendment will allow NVCSS to better serve the population by increasing the budget of the assistance program for rent subsidies.

DISCUSSION

The NVCSS PATH agreement administers and implements a supportive housing program that utilizes a multi-phase model of case management to provide assistance to Probation offenders in obtaining and retaining housing which includes an assistance program for rent subsidies and expenses related to obtaining housing. The agreement currently allows for up to four rent subsidies. This amendment will allow for three additional rent subsidies. Rent subsidies are for eligible clients as determined by NVCSS and the Probation Department and are determined by each individual offender’s needs. An offender receiving a rent subsidy is expected to pay 30% of their gross income towards their rent, which is documented in a rental agreement between the offender and NVCSS. On average, an eligible offender will receive a subsidy for six months before establishing self-sufficiency.

In addition to case management and housing related aid, the contract provides an assessment of individual strengths and needs and training sessions, workshops, classes, and group meetings to promote independent living skills and stable housing, including information and tools relating to finances, budgeting, and health and safety for residents in an effort to build confidence and enhance ability to maintain independent living and stable housing.

From February 2014 to April 2017, 469 referrals have been made to the NVCSS PATH program by the Probation Department. In that time, 169 offenders have received housing placement through the program and retained housing for at least 30 consecutive days, 13 of whom have received rent subsidies.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could decide not to approve the amendment or could request changes to the terms and conditions of the amendment.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation. County Counsel has approved the amendment as to form. There are no modifications to insurance or indemnification; therefore, Risk Management review is not applicable.

FINANCING

The funding for this agreement is provided through Public Safety Realignment. The Probation Department’s FY 2017/18 Requested Budget includes funds appropriated for this amendment. There is no additional General Fund impact associated with this recommendation.