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Lucas County outsources PRC shelter-voucher processing after surge in applications
Summary
Job and Family Services will contract with the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to manage PRC shelter-assistance voucher processing through September while internal staffing is reorganized. Staff reported a sharp increase in applications and estimated current shelter assistance spending at about $25,000 per month.
The Lucas County Board of Commissioners authorized Job and Family Services (JFS) to contract with the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to manage processing of PRC (prevention, retention and contingency) shelter-assistance vouchers through September while JFS transitions the work internally.
Britta Osborne, presenting for JFS, told the commissioners the department has seen a marked increase in demand for PRC shelter assistance. Osborne reported 1,402 PRC voucher applications in 2024, of which 1,048 were for shelter assistance; in 2023 the department received 799 PRC applications, 399 of which were for shelter assistance. Osborne said the department currently lacks internal capacity to process the volume and that the contract addresses only the voucher-processing function.
Osborne said JFS has executed a letter of agreement with labor to permit outsourcing of this bargaining-unit work through September while the department reorganizes work activities so case managers can incorporate voucher processing into their duties. She described PRC shelter assistance as funded with TANF dollars (federal) and estimated current shelter-assistance payments at roughly $25,000 per month.
Commissioners commented on the human impact of shelter assistance and the importance of preventing homelessness; the board approved the agreement by roll-call vote.
The contract is a temporary operational measure; commissioners and staff said the goal is to transition voucher processing back to internal staff by the end of the agreement term.
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