Hollister
– The financial outlook for San Benito’s transitional housing
program remains uncertain, according to county staffers.
Hollister – The financial outlook for San Benito’s transitional housing program remains uncertain, according to county staffers.
Prior to recent cuts, the county’s Community Services and Workforce Development Department housed homeless families for up to six months for little or no rent in one of 12 mobile homes it leased. The program has also provided job training, job search and housing search services to residents expected to move on to permanent housing.
The program has moved to three new mobile homes, while a local nonprofit plans to operate the 12 older units as affordable housing.
According to CSWD Deputy Director Maria Fehl, the program has always had a waiting list. When asked if families will now have a longer wait before receiving shelter, Fehl said, “Absolutely. We went from 12 trailers to three.”
Federal housing dollars are distributed by the state, which gave the county a two-year grant of $256,000 in 2004. This year, however, the state denied the county’s request for $200,000.
“We have seen a steady decline in these types of funding opportunities at a federal level,” Health and Human Services Director Kathy Flores told the county’s Board of Supervisors on Dec. 19.
The older units will now be operated by the Community Services Development Corporation, which also handles the day-to-day operation of the transitional shelter program. According to CSDC head Brian Abbott, the mobile homes should open in mid-January. In order to cover operation and maintenance costs, the group will have to charge between $500 and $600 per month.
Previously, shelter residents were asked to contribute an average of $300 per month, which the county saved for them. When residents moved on from the program, the savings could be used to help pay for permanent housing. However, Fehl emphasized that no one was turned away because of a lack of funds.
Fehl added that the county continues to lobby state and federal representatives for additional funding. Congressman Sam Farr, Fehl said, has been “very receptive.” The county is also seeking state funds raised through Proposition 1C, which will provide nearly $3 billion for housing.
“We check almost every other day,” she said.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
