DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Contract Amendments With Residential Transitions, Inc And DARTS For Apartment Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of contract amendments with Residential Transitions, Inc (RTI) and DARTS for apartment services.
SUMMARY
The Apartment Services program is a homelessness and eviction prevention program in Social Services paid for by Local Affordable Housing Aid funds. The Apartment Services program offers flexible on-site services to residents at apartment buildings throughout Dakota County, including four general population buildings and 15 Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) senior buildings (9 receiving on-site support weekly, bi-weekly or monthly and 6 with phone support). Buildings were selected using a vulnerability scoring tool that includes emergency services calls, evictions, social services referrals, poverty census tract and access to basic services (food, transportation). Buildings also need to accept rental assistance vouchers. Social Services contacted buildings owners and property managers that received a high vulnerability score to introduce the Apartment Services program and interested property owners responded with letters of interest.
Services for chosen buildings are provided by RTI and DARTS, as selected through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process in 2023. RTI and DARTS help tenants problem solve issues that may impact their housing stability, including dispute resolution, navigation of financial assistance, crisis mediation, budgeting, connection to long-term housing assistance resources, and referrals to the Dakota County service teams (Prevention, Adult Mental Health, Crisis Stabilization, Employment and Economic Assistance, waiver-funded services, etc.). Due to this program, there has been a decreased call for emergency services, decreased tenant and community impact, increased hous...
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