Item Coversheet

Board Action Request
17-0155

Item Description:
Agmt A177328 with U.S. Dept of HUD to accept grant funds for the continuation of intensive case management services for multi-problem, chronic shelter using families, 6/1/17–5/31/18, $351,875 (recv); continue 6.0 FTE grant positions
Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A177328 with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to accept grant funding for continuation of intensive case management services for multi-problem, chronic shelter using families through Project Connect in the amount of $351,875, for the period June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018, and that continuation of 6.0 FTE grant positions, be approved; and that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and appropriate funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available. 

Background:

Since 1993, Hennepin County has received funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Supportive Housing Program, to provide intensive case management services for multi-problem, chronic shelter using families.  Households served must include at least one member with a physical, emotional, or behavioral disability. Through its Project Connect, the Human Services and Public Health Department uses these funds to work with the most difficult to serve homeless population. Most recently, this grant funding for Project Connect was renewed through Agreement A165678 (Resolution 16-0343).

Agreement A177328 in the receivable amount of $351,875, for the period of June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018, will provide the continuation of 6.0 FTE grant caseworkers to provide Project Connect services.

The goal of Project Connect is to reduce homeless shelter recidivism of families who are chronic users of shelters. Such families comprise 10% of Hennepin County's shelter population but use 25% of the shelter services funded by the county. These families are often resistant to receiving services and have multiple problems such as mental illness, chemical dependency, recurring abuse, severe behavior problems and unstable incomes.  Funding provides for intensive case management to resolve family crisis, stabilize housing and improve the children's school attendance, thereby reducing the need for other services and interventions. Project Connect has the capacity to serve approximately 45 families (180 persons) at any point in time during the year.

The outcomes for the project year June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016 (the time frame for which the most recent statistics are available) indicate:

 

  • A total of 51 families (214 persons including 154 children and 60 adults) were served during the 12-month period.

  • 99% of families were stable in permanent housing at the end of the program year or had exited the program into permanent housing.

  • 80% of families maintained or increased their income (from all sources) during the program.

  • 98% of families were connected to mainstream resources in the first 12 months of program enrollment.

Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval