Title:
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Approve the recommended funding allocations to the agencies listed for Community Services Shelter Funding in the amount of $333,000 for FY 24/25 and authorize the Chairman to execute the Shelter Funding Grant Agreements and any amendments upon agency execution. Countywide (Allison Thall, Community Services Director)
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Division:
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Community Services - Community Assistance
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Authorized By:
Allison Thall, Community Services Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Carrie Longsworth/407-665-2389
Background:
On April 23, 2024, recommendations for updates to the Community Service Agency (CSA) process were approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), which included dividing the CSA funding into two allotments: one for shelters and the other for non-profits providing services other than shelter. The BCC adopted priority funding for those agencies providing a top service identified in the 2024 Community Needs Assessment (CNA). Based on the Community Needs Assessment, one-third of the top needs were listed as homeless services, housing for the homeless and homeless shelters.
Based on these findings, the BCC approved one-third of the total CSA funding dedicated to homeless shelters in the County. This includes Rescue Outreach Mission, SafeHouse of Seminole, Recovery House, and BoysTown. Additionally, staff requested an increase in total CSA funding from $842,233 to $1,000,000. With the approval of the budget increase, $333,000 was allocated to fund shelters. Because homeless shelters are such a critical need in the County coupled with rising housing costs and increased Point in Time count numbers, shelters no longer need to compete annually for funding and will be allocated this funding on an annual basis.
Shelters will be awarded annual funding based on filled bed nights:
• Rescue Outreach Mission - 62% of County beds = up to $206,460
• SafeHouse of Seminole - 26% of County beds = up to $86,580
• Recovery House - 6% of County beds = up to $19,980
• BoysTown - 6% of County beds = up to $19,980
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve the recommended funding allocations to the agencies listed for Community Services Shelter Funding in the amount of $333,000 for FY 24/25 and authorize the Chairman to execute the Shelter Funding Grant Agreements and any amendments upon agency execution.