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Rockville receives human services needs assessment identifying navigation, behavioral health and affordable housing gaps
Summary
Health Management Associates presented a human services needs assessment to Rockville Mayor and Council, outlining gaps in system navigation, behavioral health, affordable housing and recommendations for city–county partnership and navigator services.
Health Management Associates presented the results of a human services needs assessment to the Rockville Mayor and Council on Feb. 24, recommending steps to strengthen service navigation, behavioral health capacity and housing supports.
The report, commissioned by the City through the Department of Housing and Community Development, found residents generally trust the city and rate quality of life highly but identified recurring gaps: weak system navigation, insufficient behavioral health services, limited affordable housing and low awareness among residents of existing services. The consultant recommended stronger city–county coordination, on-site navigation at community and senior centers, expansion of senior "villages," pre-eviction assistance and exploration of matches between renters and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) landlords.
Uma Oluwalia, project director for Health Management Associates, said the study combined key informant interviews, focus groups, a 30-question resident survey with 412 respondents, and analysis of federal and regional datasets. "Residents trust the city to meet their needs," she told the council, but added that demand is outpacing current resources and navigation is a dominant gap.
The report lists concrete recommendations including: bolstering the city’s role as a backbone coordinator through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); standing up on-site navigation and care coordination at community centers and senior centers; increasing Medicaid-billable services at safety-net clinics; convening a joint city–county steering committee or advisory board to better align grants and contracting; and pursuing partnerships and grants for crisis and fast-response behavioral health locations.
City staff said several immediate steps are already under way. Ryan Trout, representing DHCD, said staff have been reconfigured to improve short-term navigation services and the department will hold a nonprofit symposium in April to present findings and solicit provider input. Trout said staff plan a strategic plan to align city services and grants and may return to the Mayor and Council with a work plan in the fall.
Council members pressed staff on funding sources and the practical limits of the City's role. Several members emphasized the need to align the City’s efforts with Montgomery County programs and to explore creative funding—such as opioid settlement proceeds or cannabis revenue—to expand behavioral health and outreach services. The consultant and staff repeatedly noted the City cannot replicate the County's full service menu and emphasized partnership as a recurring recommendation.
The city manager confirmed the report and a Q&A prepared for the Mayor and Council would be posted to the agenda book and that staff expect continued follow-up and possible further discussion based on nonprofit input.
The presentation recognized Rekha Granger’s work in DHCD; Granger is scheduled to retire in March and councilmembers publicly thanked her for decades of service.
