Committee approves six'month extension allowing mayor and HSH to solicit private donations for homeless services

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on March 21 voted to forward to the full Board a resolution extending an existing behested'payment waiver for six months so the mayor's office and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) can solicit private donations to support temporary shelter expansion and related homelessness services.

Deputy Director Emily Cohen (HSH) told the committee the existing waiver was authorized by the Board in October and is expiring in April; the department is asking for a six'month extension while it continues conversations with foundations, private philanthropists and corporations about a range of philanthropic needs. Cohen described possible uses including expansion of family shelter, a workforce-development housing subsidy pilot, and flexible housing subsidies for youth, families and adults. Cohen said capital needs for one listed project are approximately $3,000,000 and that other initiatives are scalable; she said the department can present fundraising goals on the legislative file as discussions progress.

Supervisors pressed for clarity on whether the department had specific fundraising targets; Cohen said other than the cited capital figure the department did not present a single fundraising goal and that most initiatives are scalable. Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson explained the local definition of "interested party" is relationship-based and that the proposed waiver would permit HSH and the mayor's office to fundraise from entities that are interested parties to their work.

No members of the public spoke on the item. Chair Preston moved to forward the waiver extension to the Board as a committee report with a positive recommendation; the motion carried on a 3'0'''vote with the Vice Chair excused.