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Council member Brewer raises concerns about FEP program changes and potential shelter returns
2:27:00
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105 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer expresses concern about potential changes to the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEP) program, where rent contributions could increase from 30% to 40%. She worries this might lead some beneficiaries to return to shelters. Director Jacques Jiha acknowledges the program's growth and the need to ensure its long-term viability.
- Brewer highlights the potential $11 million savings when all FEPs are used, but warns about the impact of increased rent contributions
- Jiha emphasizes the need to manage the program's growth, which has increased from $300 million to $1.2 billion in 5 years
- Brewer suggests keeping rent contributions at 30% to prevent people from returning to shelters
- Jiha notes that the changes haven't been implemented yet, so the impact is unknown
Gale A. Brewer
2:27:00
When Molly Park was here, an excellent commissioner, she said, of course, that there could be a savings of $11,000,000, you know, when all of the FEPs are used and people are back in their housing.
2:27:13
The trouble is cost of FEPs could go from 30% to 40% of anyone's, rent.
2:27:20
Though there are about 1,800 doll 1,800 people who have will be affected in this five year cycle.
2:27:28
There's some fear that some of them will go back to the shelters because of the increase in rental that they have to pay.
2:27:34
So my question is, have you figured in your budget when this right rent hike goes into effect that people could be back in shelter?
2:27:43
Wouldn't it make more sense to keep it up 30%?
Jacques Jiha
2:27:46
Again, our goal is we don't want people to go back to the shelter, but at the same time, we're also, at the same time, trying to make sure that the program is feasible in the long run.
2:28:00
So therefore we have to find ways to manage it.
2:28:02
It's a program that started at about $300,000,000 5 years ago.
2:28:06
It's about like $1,200,000,000 now.
2:28:08
So
Gale A. Brewer
2:28:08
It's a good allocation of funding.
2:28:10
It works.
Jacques Jiha
2:28:11
I understand.
2:28:11
We understand.
2:28:12
But at the same time, you know, we are also resource constrained.
2:28:17
So therefore we have to find a way at the pace that is growing.
2:28:21
It's growing so fast that it could threaten the viability of the program itself.
Gale A. Brewer
2:28:27
But you haven't figured in anybody going back to shelter as part of this funding?
Jacques Jiha
2:28:31
They just they have not yet implemented the program yet, so therefore we don't know.
Gale A. Brewer
2:28:37
Okay.
2:28:37
I'm just letting you know that some of them will go back and you should figure out Keep it at 30% would make sense.
2:28:42
I understand your difference of opinion.
2:28:44
Finally, food.