Board orders audit of Equus contractor after flood survivors report problems
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Summary
Supervisors directed an auditor’s review of Arbor E & T LLC dba Equus Workforce Solutions’ emergency temporary lodging contract after multiple flood survivors and community groups reported disorganization, duplicate intake and other service failures. The audit will examine expenditures, households served, case management, data security and complaints and report back within 120 days.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 voted to authorize an audit of Arbor E & T LLC, doing business as Equus Workforce Solutions, over its role in the county’s emergency temporary lodging program following January’s floods.
Supervisor Monica Montgomery Stepp introduced the item after receiving repeated complaints from flood survivors and community‑based organizations that Equus’ contract performance had been inconsistent. The audit—directed to the county auditor and controller—will include, but is not limited to, a detailed comparison of Equus’ actual expenditures against contract amounts, counts of households provided temporary lodging and their lengths of stay, where households went when temporary stays ended, the types of case management services provided and data‑security practices for personal information. The board asked for a written report back in 120 days.
Residents and advocates urged the board to act. Several public commenters described families being sent to hotels that had been shut down, repeated intake requests for the same personal information, and confusion over complaint resolution. A union representative and multiple community leaders supported the audit as a way to ensure accountability for public funds.
Some callers asked the board to review prior studies of Equus’ performance; a speaker referenced a San Diego State University report and past county payments for COVID‑era hotel contracts. Board members said the audit will examine past and recent performance and the county’s decision to amend an existing contract to accelerate emergency lodging after the storms.
The motion passed unanimously. The audit’s findings will guide the board on whether additional remedies, procurement policy changes or other oversight actions are needed.
