Board approves Amador PLHA plan; 55% directed to supportive services reserve for Danco project

The Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the county’s application under the state’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program and the county’s PLHA plan, following a public hearing.

County behavioral‑health staff and housing consultant Sherry Morgado of Housing Tools told the board the county is applying for three years of formula PLHA funds (2021–2023 allocations) now that the county’s housing element is certified. The three‑year total in the application is $501,001.36; the state’s PLHA program derives funding from a $75 real‑estate recording fee and varies with market activity.

Under the plan the board approved, Amador County will allocate 55% of those PLHA formula funds to create a dedicated, interest‑bearing supportive‑services reserve to cover non‑capital, wrap‑around services tied to a permanent supportive‑housing project being developed by Danco. Melissa Silio, behavioral health non‑clinical program coordinator, said the county expects the reserve to fund services for tenants in the project; the presentation referenced supportive services (case management, clinical services such as therapy and medication management) for a roughly 35‑unit cohort.

State guidance now requires at least 40% of PLHA formula allocations to serve ownership or home‑preservation projects; in the Amador plan the remaining 40% is proposed for a mobile‑home rehabilitation program administered by the county’s Social Services Department. The plan also keeps 5% for local administrative costs, as permitted under PLHA rules.

Sherry Morgado explained the mechanics: once the state approves Amador’s plan and provides a standard agreement the county will establish the interest‑bearing reserve and draw from it to pay supportive‑services costs as incurred. Social Services will develop policies and procedures for the mobile‑home rehabilitation program, which will require state approval of its program rules. Morgado said city and county certification steps already are in place; the main deadline pressing the board was the state’s statutory requirement to submit the 2021 allocation by Feb. 28 to avoid reversion.

After the public hearing (no substantive public opposition was recorded), the board voted 5–0 to adopt the PLHA plan, authorize submission to the State Department of Housing and Community Development and authorize the county administrative officer or designee to sign the application and required paperwork.

Ending: The county can now accept a PLHA standard agreement from HCD and create the dedicated supportive‑services reserve. Social Services will return to the county with program details for the mobile‑home rehabilitation component as required by HCD.