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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 $129,668 for a period of one year. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Prior City Council action on August 19, 2008 authorized an agreement with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) for the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to administer the Single Allocation Program in the City. The Single Allocation Program provides housing vouchers for eligible families for up to 120 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 program has been operating at the City's Multi-Services Center (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 152 families, with an 81 percent success rate. Success is measured by the number of families that enter transitional or permanent housing following Single Allocation Program participation.
LAHSA has awarded a renewal grant of $129,668 to the Health Department for a period of one year starting July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. These funds are critical for stabilizing the housing crisis for T ANF eligible homeless families in Long Beach. The MSC will continue to utilize these funds with eligible families to assist them with temporary housing placement until permanent housing may be located.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on May 20, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on May 27, 2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 16, 2009 to allow reimbursement for activities funded by this project, which will commence on July 1, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is equal to $129,668 for a period of one year. These funds do not require a match of City resources and will 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 exist to expend these grant funds. There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
RONALD R. ARIAS
DIRECTOR HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |