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Board approves three‑year behavioral‑health plan and a managed‑care transitional‑rent program to help residents at risk of homelessness
Summary
Supervisors approved the county's Behavioral Health Services Act integrated plan (2026–2029), which allocates at least 30% of certain behavioral‑health funds toward homelessness and housing. The board also approved a transitional‑rent agreement with the county's managed‑care plan (Partnership) to provide up to six months of rental assistance for eligible beneficiaries.
The Board of Supervisors on June 9 approved a three‑year Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) integrated plan and authorized a transitional‑rent provider agreement with the county’s managed‑care plan to help people at risk of homelessness.
County behavioral‑health staff presented the BHSA integrated plan for fiscal years 2026–2029, describing a shift in emphasis that channels at least 30% of specified behavioral‑health allocations toward housing and homelessness supports. The presenter said the county will adopt an "assertive outreach" approach and integrate behavioral health with housing programs already under way. Supervisors discussed the state mandate to reallocate funds and asked staff to pursue available unfunded‑mandate reimbursement opportunities.
Grace Poor, program manager for Lassen County Housing and Grants, described a transitional‑rent program in partnership with the county’s managed‑care health plan (Partnership). The program provides up to six months of transitional rent or stabilization assistance for Partnership‑eligible residents exiting homelessness or at immediate risk of losing housing. Poor explained administrative arrangements will follow existing medical‑eligibility workflows and that the county will seek reimbursement through the managed‑care draw‑down process as the program is implemented.
Supervisors said the measures are intended to reduce costly out‑of‑county placements (board members cited boarding‑care placements and re‑entry costs) by stabilizing housing here in Lassen County. The county said approximately 160 people were counted in the most recent PIT (point‑in‑time) count and that some 200 people appear on current housing services waiting lists, indicating ongoing demand for housing supports.
The board approved both the BHSA integrated plan and the transitional‑rent provider agreement. Staff will implement the transitional‑rent program in coordination with Partnership and return with operational details as cases are processed.
What’s next: Implement transitional‑rent referrals with Partnership and continue integrating BHSA funds and county housing programs to accelerate housing placements for residents with behavioral‑health needs.
