TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager or designee to execute all necessary agreements and any subsequent amendments that change the terms or increase grant amounts with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority for the Single Allocation Program in the amount of $138,352 for a period of one year; and increase appropriations in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) by $138,352. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Prior City Council action authorized an agreement with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) for the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to administer the Single Allocation Program in the City. The Single Allocation Program provides housing vouchers to eligible families for up to 90 days of housing. Eligibility is subject to enrollment in the Los Angeles County-operated Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) Program. The Health Department operates the Single Allocation Program to families who are case managed through the Health Department's Multi-Service Center (MSC).
Through this program, TANF participants are eligible to receive housing vouchers when: 1) an adult on the TANF case is receiving or has exhausted the time limit for TANF cash assistance, and 2) that adult is either employed or enrolled in the TANF Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Program.
This project has been operating at the MSC since 2005, and serves eligible families from Long Beach seeking assistance at the MSC. To date, the Single Allocation Program has provided housing to 137 families, with an 80 percent success rate (success being measured by the number of families which enter transitional or permanent housing following Single Allocation Program participation).
LAHSA has awarded a renewal grant of $138,352 to the Health Department for a period of one year through June 30, 2009. These funds are critical to stabilize the housing crisis for TANF eligible homeless families in Long Beach. The MSC will continue to issue these funds to eligible families to assist in temporary housing placement until permanent housing may be located.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on July 21,2008 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 30, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 19, 2008 to allow reimbursement for activities funded by this project, which commenced on July 1, 2008.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is equal to $138,352 for a period of one year. These funds do not require a match of City resources and would supplement programs currently operated through the MSC. Funding will be made available through LAHSA and will be expended through the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). Current appropriations do not exist to expend these grant funds, therefore, an appropriations increase of $138,352 is included in the recommendation. There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
RONALD R. ARIAS
DIRECTOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |