For Immediate Release: Friday, April 9, 2021
Committees to review homeless services and receive a briefing from SB & Company
The joint Health & Human Services (HHS) and Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet on Monday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. to review a special appropriation for a homeless shelter and the operating budgets for homeless services, rental assistance and the Housing Initiative Fund. The Audit Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive a briefing from SB & Company.
The members of the Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee include Chair and Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice.
The members of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
The members of the Audit Committee include Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee Chair Nancy Navarro, Council President Tom Hucker, Vice President Gabe Albornoz, Councilmember Andrew Friedson and Councilmember Sidney Katz.
Supplemental Appropriation and CIP Amendment - DHHS - $13,647,000 for Emergency Homeless Shelter
Review: The joint Committee will review a supplemental appropriation to provide $13,647,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services for an emergency homeless shelter. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.
Existing County facilities supporting homeless sheltering and associated services are insufficient for the current population and future demand. Due to COVID-19, maximum occupancy at each County homeless shelter has decreased to allow for social distancing.
The appropriation will fund the acquisition of a facility and construction costs to retrofit the facility to include space for congregation, meal service and medical and case management offices.
FY22 Operating Budget - Homeless Services, Rental Assistance and Housing Initiative Fund
Discussion: The joint Committee will review programs funded in the FY22 Recommended Budget that support homeless and formerly homeless individuals in the County.
The County Executive is recommending $3.081 million for the operating costs of the homeless shelter system, $89 million for the Housing Initiative Fund to provide affordable housing production, preservation, support for rental assistance and homeownership programs, and community-based services, a $1 million increase to the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and an additional $490,000 for Rapid Rehousing. The joint Committee will also receive an update on the Point-in-Time Survey and the new COVID Rental Relief Program.
Briefing: The Audit Committee will receive a briefing from SB & Company (SB) on the audit of the basic financial statements of the County Government and the findings of two reports summarizing the findings.
Discussion: The Committee will also review a contract amendment to extend SB & Company’s contract for an additional year. The current contract expires on July 13, 2021 and the contractor’s services are needed to conduct the Fiscal Year 2021 audit.
SB & Company also audited the financial statements of the Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans, the financial statements of the Montgomery County Consolidated Retiree Health Benefits Trust, and other audit work.
Those expected to provide information include Graylin Smith, managing partner, SB & Company and company staff. Michael Coveyou, director, Montgomery County Department of Finance and Linda Herman, executive director, Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans, will also be in attendance with staff from their respective departments.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-149