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County to fund two diversion specialists to reduce shelter demand, officials say
Summary
Montgomery County executive seeks $177,100 to contract two diversion specialist brokers to prevent shelter inflow; HHS chiefs said diversion is more effective and less costly than expanding shelter capacity, and the committee agreed to advance the recommendation.
The Montgomery County HHS committee reviewed an amendment to add two contract diversion specialist brokers — at a combined proposed cost of $177,100 (about $88,550 per position) — intended to reduce shelter inflow by helping people who recently lost housing identify immediate alternatives.
Clemens Johnson explained the proposal would fund two ongoing contractual broker positions (to replace existing grant‑funded brokers) and described diversion as a strategic, person‑centered intervention. "Each of those diversion specialists manage an average caseload of 60 individuals per month," staff said, noting current staffing and some recent vacancies.
Christine Hong, Chief of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, framed the amendment as both a human‑services and fiscal intervention. "This past year, year to date, we have diverted 176 individuals," she said, and explained the fiscal comparison: "It costs us $79.24 to shelter an individual, That's per night. So annually that's $28,922." Hong added that sheltering the 176 people diverted this year would cost roughly $2.5 million for six months and about $5 million for 12 months, and argued diversion helps avoid building more shelter capacity.
Monica Martin, Chief of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services, said diversion staffing shortages push demand onto crisis center clinicians and create operational strain; councilmembers cited impacts across public‑safety and emergency response systems. HHS staff clarified the two contract positions would replace grant‑funded roles rather than increase the total headcount.
Outcome: the committee expressed support for the executive recommendation, noting staff’s suggestion to tranche funding per the council president’s guidance. The item will move forward in the budget reconciliation process.
