Board: TANF funds available but qualified providers lacking for homelessness services

A member of the public asked what the county is doing to alleviate the burden of the homeless population. Commissioner Sasha L. Rittenhouse said homelessness "does not fall to the county commissioners directly," and noted that there are currently no providers in the community the county could contract with for shelter services. Commissioner Charles A. Patterson said there is no freeze on TANF funds but that "the rules are very specific on who can qualify for the funding," and that a Request for Proposals will be issued again to seek qualified providers.

Patterson also noted that Sheltered Inc. previously received the same funding source, which the transcript indicates is related to the ongoing litigation. The Board emphasized that state standards determine eligibility for the funds and that, until a qualified provider is identified, the county cannot contract for those services.