Carroll County approves FY27 Homeless Solutions Program application and adds $120,016 one‑time support
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Summary
After a presentation on homelessness services and data, the board approved submission of the FY27 Homeless Solutions Program grant and allocated $120,016 in one‑time county funds to offset a state reduction and maintain service levels.
Carroll County commissioners approved the county’s FY27 Homeless Solutions Program (HSP) grant application, accepted the award, and allocated $120,016 in one‑time county funds to maintain service levels after a state funding reduction.
County and contractor staff said the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development reduced Carroll’s FY27 allocation to $653,415, about $120,000 below FY26 levels. Staff and Human Services Programs (HSP) representatives described a portfolio of services supported by the grant — street outreach, emergency night‑by‑night shelter, rapid re‑housing (including youth programs), housing stability, homeless prevention, and flex funds — and presented service outcomes from FY25.
HSP staff recounted recent program impacts: the street outreach program served 82 unsheltered individuals last year, with 62% exiting to positive destinations; the emergency overnight shelter served 312 people; and rapid re‑housing helped 26 households (52 participants) with an 85% housing retention rate on exit.
"We are seeing increasing need: last year we served roughly 600 people across homeless programs and about 400 through our shelters," a housing program presenter said, adding that some federal and state funding changes are tightening eligibility and reducing available dollars. Staff asked the county for $120,016 in one‑time support to hold services level during a transition year.
Commissioners asked about how point‑in‑time counts differ from annual service totals and raised operational questions about shelter opening hours during extreme weather. HSP staff explained that point‑in‑time counts capture the number of people sleeping outside on a single night, while program data cover the full fiscal year and intake screenings. They also said the county and HSP coordinate with emergency management to open shelter capacity early during extreme conditions.
After discussion, a motion to approve grant submission, award acceptance, and the one‑time county allocation carried unanimously. Staff said county in‑kind space and partnerships will continue to be used to meet county match requirements.
Next steps: county will submit the HSP application, accept the award when finalized, and disburse one‑time funds to preserve FY26 service levels while staff and partners prepare for expected federal/state changes to homelessness funding.
