TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution amending Chapter 4, Section D, of the Housing Authority Administrative Plan, relative to expanding the preference for homeless families to include referrals from the Department of Health and Human Services Family Preservation Program. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The attached Resolution modifies the language in the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB) Administrative Plan to allow a preference for admission to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program for Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Family Preservation Program participants. On July 10, 2012, the Housing Authority Commission held a public hearing and adopted the Housing Authority's Five-Year Housing Plan and Annual Plan. At that time, it was reported that the Resident Advisory Board, a group that had been constituted to provide input into the plan, had recommended that a program to help stabilize families in crisis during these difficult economic times be established. To reach this goal, staff is recommending an expansion of the "preference for homeless families."
There currently exists a special admissions preference for homeless families referred to the Housing Authority by the Health Department's Multi-Service Center. At the time this preference was established, the Commission directed that the number of families admitted to the program in this fashion be limited to 30 per year. Staff now recommends that this number be increased to 55 per year to include the new collaboration with the Health Department's Family Preservation Program.
The Housing Authority will partner with the Health Department's Family Preservation Program, which has been in existence and funded since 1994. Funding comes from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
The staff of the Family Preservation Program includes two licensed clinical social workers, who are well trained and certified to work with families in crisis. Participants will receive case management which will continue, if necessary, up to a year after the family is housed.
These proposed adjustments comply with regulatory requirements and will expand our Special Admissions programs to include 25 participants referred through the Family Preservation Program, which will increase the number of special admissions from a total of 30 to 55 participants per calendar year.
At this time, staff is requesting authorization to make additions to Chapter 4, Section D, of the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach Administrative Plan as shown on the attached Resolution.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 26, 2012.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
Housing Authority action is requested at the October 9, 2012 meeting to allow staff to implement this program.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this proposed action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
RONALD R. ARIAS PATRICK H. WEST
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 4, SECTION D OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN, RELATIVE TO EXPANDING THE PREFERENCE FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES TO INCLUDE REFERRALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM