Vote: approved

Item Text

48. HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR REVIEW OVER BASELINE Per the Board approved FY 2016 Budget Guidelines and Priorities, approve allowing the Office of Management & Budget to review the following request over baseline: • Homeless Program dedicated position and operational support $120,000 (Operating expense, Fund 100) There is a need for Maricopa County to be more actively involved in the planning and coordination of activities to address homelessness. Human Services currently neither uses General Funds for the HSD homeless program departmental operations nor does the HSD have a dedicated position for the homeless program initiative. The coordination and participation in homeless activities is currently being done at the Director level as there is no available grant funding for this activity. Without a dedicated position, HSD is unable to take full advantage of opportunities that could create more housing placements and reduce the homeless population in the County. With this funding to create a Homeless program position, HSD would have the opportunity to increase outside funding from the private sector, faith-based community, and other community-based organizations to address homelessness. A General Fund position for homelessness would be able to develop new Non-County funding sources, for example, through grants, the Housing Authorities throughout the County, Department of Corrections, and money allocated to those who are Severely Mentally Ill. In addition, HSD would be able to grow existing partnerships that promote regional solutions for homelessness. Currently, it is primarily the County, City of Phoenix, and the State that are involved in efforts to end homelessness. However, homelessness is not just a central Phoenix issue, but rather a problem that affects the entire Valley. This position would be able to organize efforts in other localities and municipalities to create regional solutions to this problem, which includes capitalizing on municipal funds rather than County funds. Furthermore, HSD would be able to link efforts to the County Smart Justice Initiative. By creating regional solutions, there will be more opportunities for placements of homeless people that then results in the decline of homelessness in Maricopa County. (C-22-15-049-2-00)