City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2024 FROM: HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES OVERVIEW AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS ISSUE:
Receive and file an overview of the Department of Housing and Human Services including recognition of the Department employees of the year.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council receive an overview of the Department of Housing and Human Services including recognition of the Department employees of the year.
BACKGROUND:
On September 12, 2023, City Council created the Department of Housing and Human Services (HHS) to address affordable housing and homelessness through 52 budgeted positions. To stand up the new department, staff had to first create new budgets and accounts under HHS. Once this task was completed HHS was able to start submitting P-1s to fill vacant positions within the department, including the addition of a Weekend Lead Outreach Worker and Outreach Worker positions to open the Riverside Access Center on Saturday and Sunday to serve our unhoused population. To-date, HHS is working on filling has 9 vacancies DISCUSSION:
The mission of HHS is to provide a multi-disciplinary services and support to the City’s vulnerable populations and residents that foster resilience, self-sufficiency, housing stability and enhance the quality of life for all. This mission is carried out through DHSS’s Administration, Housing Authority, Human Services, CDBG and Outreach Services staff.
During the City Council meeting on October 22, 2024, staff will present on HHS’s accomplishments and recognize the Department employees of the year.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being, Goal No. 2.2, collaborate with partner agencies to improve household resiliency and reduce the incidence of homelessness.
This item aligns with Each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Activities and actions by the City serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse population and result in greater public good.
Equity –All individuals served in the City’s rental assistance programs will be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of the circumstances, ability, or identity.
Fiscal Responsibility – HHS is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City’s financial resources while providing quality public services to all. Competitive procurement is used to secure lowest cost for services.
Innovation – This action item provides the City with the ability to support innovative programs that address gaps in affordable housing and in our homeless system of care.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Regularly assessing HHS’s services, making changes as needed and utilizing valuable partnerships with other agencies allows the Department to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensures the City’s capacity to preserves, adapt and grow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Michelle Davis, Housing and Human Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Presentation
Department of Housing and Human Services Overview and Employee Recognitions ● Page 2