Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Flex Pool topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Alameda County approves $150 million Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool to expand rental assistance
Summary
The Board approved a five-year Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool to consolidate rental assistance across funding streams, authorize up to $150 million (not-to-exceed) in contracts with delegated authority for annual allocations, and require quarterly reports; Abode Services will operate the pool under a competitive procurement.
Alameda County supervisors on Sept. 9 approved a five-year Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool designed to consolidate rental assistance and landlord-engagement functions across multiple funding streams to speed placements and increase housing stability.
County staff and Abode Services described the Flex Pool as a centralized mechanism to scale rental assistance from about 1,000 households today to a target of 1,600 by year five. The board authorized a contract authority not to exceed $150,000,000 over five years with approximately $35,000,000 available per year, quarterly reporting to the board, and a $3,000,000 operator reserve to cover about two months of rental assistance that the operator will repay over time.
Jonathan Russell, director for AC Health, Housing and Homelessness Services, said the model reduces duplication by putting multiple funding sources into a single administrative “back end” to make eligibility and issuing subsidy payments more seamless. “The flexible pool is really about the client — removing the funding doorways that send people to different providers,” Russell said.
Jeanette Rodriguez, deputy at HHS, said the Flex Pool is a long-term resource intended to support permanent housing for eligible households; staff expect an initial direct pass-through of rental assistance of roughly 54% in year one, rising toward 70% as the program scales. Abode’s CEO (present in the chamber) described the pool as allowing providers to focus on supportive services while a centralized operator manages landlord relations and rent payments.
Supervisors asked detailed questions about eligibility, case management, administrative overhead, and safeguards. Staff said case management would remain a function of behavioral-health and housing providers, while the Flex Pool operator handles landlord engagement, invoicing, and rent payments. The board required quarterly updates on expenditures, program outcomes and operator reserve balances.
The motion to delegate contracting authority and approve the program passed on a roll call vote. The county will use a combination of Measure W, HAP 6 funds and other state sources to braid funding for the pool.
The board directed staff to return with implementation details and quarterly reports to the full board; county staff said they expect to coordinate updates through the health services committee and standing board work sessions.
