Mono County accepts $1.23 million behavioral health bridge-housing grant to fund vouchers, rental assistance and staff coordination

Amanda Greenberg, Behavioral Health grant manager, presented a grant award of approximately $1,229,946 under the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program (funded through the Department of Health Care Services, relayed by Advocates for Human Potential). The grant must be expended by June 30, 2027.

Planned uses include hotel and motel vouchers for emergency shelter, rental assistance for clients, time-limited staffing to coordinate housing-related services and partnerships with Eastern Sierra Community Housing (including potential support for transition into Innsbruck Lodge), and a capital improvement set-aside (approximately $300,000 was discussed as a conceptual figure for capital projects). Greenberg emphasized that approval of the contract does not itself authorize any capital projects; those would return to the board separately for project approval.

Supervisors asked about specific budget line items and whether the county could collaborate with Eastern Sierra Community Housing to sustain a local housing navigator position whose prior funding will expire; Greenberg said she would pursue that coordination and consider redirecting grant funds to maintain the navigator role where feasible.

The board voted to authorize the County Administrative Officer to sign the contract and accept the grant (motion carried 4-0).

Next steps: Staff will finalize agreements, coordinate with community partners on program design (hotel vouchers, master-leasing or rental assistance, and coordinated entry), and return to the board with any capital project proposals before expending capital set-aside dollars.