June 15, 2009

14 Motels Currently Utilized

 No supervision of facilities provided  Inability to control who rents rooms next to recipients and resulting liability  Transportation costs are significant given geographic dispersion  Lack of rooms available in County require rentals in other counties  Difficult to ensure motels in compliance with social service regulations

 Several motels were contacted unsuccessfully to try to negotiate a lower rate  Sheriff investigators were asked to visit certain locations to address potential violations  Out-sourcing temporary housing to a not-for- profit agency  Several properties in Hudson were considered, but no consensus could be reached

 Entering into a long term (7 year) lease with the owner of St. Charles Hotel, for all 34 rooms  Focusing placement on families and women with dependent children  Negotiating a 50% reduction in room rate, and therefore an annual savings to the County of over $400,  Centrally locating in Hudson for greater supervision/safety of recipients and ability to find permanent employment and housing

 Approximately 3,100 sq ft (the first floor) would be available to the County for an “enhanced” satellite operation  In addition to temporary housing unit, this space would also house a broad array of other services  The cost of the space would be built into the room rental agreement  This option would minimize planned transportation costs to Ockawamick

Services Proposed:  Emergency Housing and Support  Applications for temporary assistance, food stamps, and Medicaid  Employment services