Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DSS asks board to use hurricane essential‑services funds to replace veteran’s home; bidding extended
Summary
Burke County Department of Social Services requested use of adult essential‑services funds from post‑hurricane allocation to address severely damaged home and enable a veteran to remain housed; county staff extended the procurement period and moved the request to the consent agenda.
Burke County Department of Social Services asked commissioners to approve use of adult essential‑services funds provided after Hurricane Helene to replace or repair the home of a 64‑year‑old veteran identified in staff testimony as Mr. Williams.
Brett Porter, social work supervisor, said the state allocated $131,444 to the county for adult services after the storm and that the funds are already in county accounts. Porter described the allocation as an unusual opportunity for adult services and said funds can be used for housing supports, appliances, repairs, utilities and other nonmedical needs under four adult‑services service codes.
Social worker Tiffany Braden presented the case of Mr. Williams in detail. Braden said Williams is a 64‑year‑old veteran, a partial amputee, who currently lives in a towable camper donated through the VA and a private donor because his home was damaged and considered beyond reasonable repair after a power surge and structural deterioration. Braden said contractors judged the home’s exterior walls unstable, interior floors unsafe and that delivery of new appliances and HVAC cannot proceed until the structure is repaired or replaced.
Porter said the county had received only one bid for the proposed mobile‑home purchase and that, to increase competition, staff extended the procurement deadline by 10 days; the transcript notes the revised bid deadline as May 2025 at 2 p.m. but does not specify an exact calendar date. Porter asked the board to move the request to the consent agenda. Commissioners agreed to move the item to the consent agenda for the regular meeting.
Why it matters: The requested expenditure would use state‑allocated, storm‑related adult‑services funds to help a veteran avoid homelessness. The county’s decision affects how remaining essential‑services dollars are distributed and whether the state’s temporary allocation will be fully expended in Burke County.
Discussion versus action: Staff described the program eligibility and the specific client need; the board did not vote to approve the expenditure at pre‑agenda but placed the procurement and request on the consent agenda.
