Board approves emergency amendment to Abode Services contract to cover rental assistance for behavioral health clients

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a contract amendment with Abode Services to continue administering the county’s Behavioral Health Rental Assistance (RAPA) program and to fund housing for clients enrolled in intensive behavioral‑health programs.

Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) staff told the board the amendment will continue services for roughly 700 clients already in the rental assistance program and adds $1,300,000 to serve new referrals — particularly people leaving custody and entering collaborative court or intensive treatment programs. BHSD said it paused most new referrals earlier this year to stabilize program operations and redesign eligibility and rent‑contribution rules.

During public comment judges, providers and behavioral‑health contractors urged the board to approve the funding; judges said people they ordered released were remaining in custody because no housing was available. BHSD and Abode staff described changes intended to improve sustainability, including collecting client income documentation to require reasonable rent contributions, applying fair‑market rent standards for new referrals and conducting habitability inspections at placement units.

Supervisors asked for additional detail on program administration, including the $1.8 million administrative amount cited for Abode’s oversight, and asked staff to provide a fuller operational and fiscal update as part of BHSD’s quarterly report in May. The board approved the amendment 5–0.

Action: motion to approve the recommended contract amendment and additional funds; mover and seconder recorded in the meeting; vote 5–0 to approve. Staff will provide an operational and budget update at the May quarterly report and pursue coordination with providers and the courts on immediate placements for people on the jail release list.