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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES July 29, 2013 2 Nancy Coston updated the Board on the current status of families impacted by the flood. The Red Cross housed people temporarily in a shelter and hotels, and then pulled out leaving some families without a place to go. They gave vouchers for housing to approximately 20 families. The Department of Social Services has been involved since the beginning of the crisis and has been helping affected families find temporary and permanent housing. Initially, the agency focused on managing crises and has now moved into recovery. Ms. Coston noted that the majority of families impacted by the floods are low income and many have multiple barriers to recovery including legal status, mental health and health issues, criminal records, credit issues, and/or disabilities. Because of this, and the problem trying to find comparably priced rentals, the Department of Social Services was asked to assist with the administration of state aid. This is the first time the state has worked with a department of social services to assist with recovery through state aid. Funds are available to affected families to assist with one or two months’ rent, furnishings, and clothing. Social workers are working with families to secure housing and then replace furniture and other belongings. State aid uses a formula to determine available funds for replacement of contents for each impacted room. There is a set amount for the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, and clothing. Sharron Hinton added that there are approximately 118 families who have applied for state aid and have a social worker assigned. There are another 90 families who also need assistance with whom the agency is trying to work. Mark Dorosin asked where families are relocating. Ms. Coston replied that some families have moved to apartment complexes throughout the area if they were able. Many residents of Rocky Brook have stayed in their homes and that is a problem for receiving state aid. Mr. Dorosin asked whether documentation is required for state aid. Ms. Coston responded that legal residence is required and staff are using public assistance records to help families prove legal status. Pat Garavaglia noted that Friends of DSS has distributed $7,000 in Lowes gift cards to assist with rebuilding efforts in Rocky Brook. Most of the work there has been done by volunteers and families living in Rocky Brook. Ms. Garavaglia added that she has concerns about future recovery efforts, especially large scale efforts. Ms. Coston replied that in a large-scale disaster additional help will come from the state. She also added that there should be conversations about how to better handle recovery operations in the future and that Emergency Services may not be the best agency to coordinate recovery efforts. Joyce Lee informed the Board that the county has paid approximately $15,000 thus far for hotels. Mr. Dorosin asked how many families were still in hotels. Ms. Coston replied there are eight families currently in hotels. She added that a few families had difficulty at the hotels and some area hotels are no longer interested in temporarily lodging flood victims. Mr. Dorosin asked whether there was anything Commissioners could do to incentivize apartment owners to work with flood victims. Ms. Coston responded that some apartment complexes may have concerns about damage but most of the families do not have sufficient funds to afford area rentals. There are some families who have had trouble with criminal background and credit checks. Social workers are working with families on individual plans. Ms. Coston added that an incentive may assist in placement of some families but for others that may not work. County emergency assistance funds may be able to assist. Ms. Coston noted that hotels really tried to assist with housing families initially. Some had negative experiences.