Board appropriates $70 million in support service funding

By Elizabeth Pfeffer and Daniel Powell

June 21, 2006

Upon recommendation of the Budget and Finance Committee, two Human Services contracts worth over $70 million were approved by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday in a 10-0 vote, with Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier absent.

Episcopal Community Services and the Tenderloin Housing Clinic were awarded roughly $30 million and $40 million, respectively, to extend a variety of homeless prevention and support programs through 2009.

The funds will be allocated to three general service areas: emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services, each targeted to the formerly homeless, elderly and adults with disabilities, said Kimberly Fergison, Senior Contracts Manager with the Human Services Department.

Episcopal Community Services oversees 477 housing units in five residential hotels, as well as approximately 450 beds in area shelters. Contract case managers offer occupants crisis intervention, drug counseling, conflict resolution, money management and eviction prevention services.

The Hillsdale, The Elm and The Mentone hotels, all operating in blighted neighborhoods for over a year, have demonstrated that occupants can develop the skills to live independently.

"Ninety-four percent of residents have maintained their housing for at least a year, or have moved to other housing where they pay rent," Fergison said. "We consider that to be a success."

The Tenderloin Housing Clinic offers similar services to formerly homeless adults through 15 residential hotels citywide.

After receiving board approval, the resolutions await final signature from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

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