(240) Community Service & Workforce Development

Community Services and Workforce Development provides services benefiting the low-income community members with housing assistance, homeless services, energy assistance, workforce development and supportive services.

The mission of San Benito County’s Health & Human Services Agency is to support and strengthen individuals and families by assuring safety, supporting self-sufficiency, eliminating poverty, and improving the quality of life in our community.

The following budget unit information details the different sections found under the Community Services & Workforce Development fund (240), a division of the Health and Human Services Agency. The sections are as follows outlined by their coded number:

• (2336) - Homeless Emergency Aid Program - No funding beginning in FY 21/22
• (2555) - Community Services & Workforce Development

• Awarded a $2.4 million HomeKey grant for the construction of 11 transitional housing units for homeless families. The project will be completed in FY 23-24.
• Awarded over $3 million in new funding for homeless and housing programs.
• CSWD served approximately 2,500 unduplicated clients in 22/23.
• Provided over 874 households with energy assistance.
• Successfully operated the Transitional Housing Program, the homeless shelter, the America’s Job Center, and the Migrant Center.

• The lack of low-income housing and affordable rental units for low-income residents and homeless individuals for placement in permanent housing
• Staff turnover due to low wages.
• Reducing homelessness.

• Increase workforce funding by at least 50% of its current budget.
• Build housing units for unhoused individuals and low-income residents by at least 150 housing units in the next four years.
• Reduce homelessness by 50% by 2026.
• Complete the development of at least 30-40 housing units for homeless individuals at the Chappell property by 2026.

• Operational Development & Excellence
• Community Engagement
• Healthy & Safe Communities