Q&A
Details of DSS pilot program for shelter residents
6:22:25
·
3 min
Council Member Diana Ayala inquires about a recently announced DSS pilot program that offers financial assistance to shelter residents to help them transition out of shelters. OMB Director Jacques Jiha provides details on the program's funding, scope, and current participation.
- The pilot program offers up to $4,000 per household for moving expenses, first and last month's rent, and security deposits.
- Currently, 50 people have participated, costing about $200,000.
- The program is voluntary and funded through savings from participating providers' budgets.
Diana Ayala
6:22:25
So the question is related to, a a DSS initiative that was recently, I guess, you know, sent around to different shelters on a pilot program that would pay, folks to leave the shelter, and then give them I don't know.
6:22:38
It was a gift card or something to that effect.
6:22:40
We didn't hear that information prior to, until after the executive, budget hearing on the general welfare committee, and I wanted to know if you were aware of such a pilot and how much money has been set aside for that.
6:22:54
Has that already been accounted for in the budget?
6:22:56
Is this a new, you know, expense?
Jacques Jiha
6:23:00
Yeah.
6:23:00
I'm aware of the program.
6:23:01
This is a pilot that was launched in partnership with the many providers to, gauge, whether financial assistance like, moving expenses, 1st and last month rent, security deposit would successfully assist households in the shelter to transition from shelter into the next phase of their journey.
6:23:28
So the program is currently being funded by accrual or savings from those providers.
6:23:37
We have about 9 providers participating in that pilot program.
6:23:45
And, they have a target of, they cap the payments to folks to about $4,000 And so far, I believe, 50 people have participated in that program.
6:23:59
And, I believe the cost is something like, $200,000.
Diana Ayala
6:24:04
Where does the money come from?
6:24:05
Because the agencies will go above the past?
Jacques Jiha
6:24:07
This is coming from money in those, providers, budget, you know, the savings that they anticipate to generate because it's not a lot of money.
6:24:16
It's as I said, it's, so far we have 50, people participate in the program, and it costs us other 4,000.
6:24:22
It's about $200,000.
Diana Ayala
6:24:24
Is it a voluntary,
Jacques Jiha
6:24:26
Yes.
6:24:27
No.
6:24:27
It's a voluntary program.
Diana Ayala
6:24:29
They're up no.
6:24:29
The are the are the providers opting and saying, okay, for
Amanda FarÃas
6:24:32
you to take whatever is left of
Rita Joseph
6:24:33
an hour.
6:24:34
But
Jacques Jiha
6:24:34
Yes.
6:24:35
Yes.
Diana Ayala
6:24:36
Could you tell us when this began and, how long do you expect it to continue to be a pilot before you make a determination as to whether or not this is a a more permanent situation?
Jacques Jiha
6:24:45
We are we're willing to evaluate the program.
6:24:47
It's a pilot.
6:24:48
And if it is successful, we will basically try to extend it.
6:24:53
But, again, the goal is we're trying to manage the sensors down because, as you know, we have about 65,000 folks right now in the system, and we have to find a way without any new revenue stream to find ways to manage that sensors down to a level that is sustainable.
Diana Ayala
6:25:14
Well, it's it's a lot more than that because if a person is, you know, a person comes in, you know, in contact with $4,000 and is able to put in even a deposit for an apartment, if they don't have a job, that's not even that's not really sustainable.
6:25:27
So is that part of the equation?
6:25:28
Because I you know, I'm I'm the reason I'm asking you all of these questions is because I would have assumed that this this would have been brought up at the executive budget hearing, but I guess that we're only answering questions that we get that get asked.
6:25:38
And I think, you know, this was like a low hanging fruit.
6:25:40
It could have just easily said, hey, you know, the matter of fact, we're initiating this new pilot.
