After a subscriber to this paper aired (see Letters to the Editor on page 3) their concern over our reportage on last week's Board of Supervisors meeting, where our text would lead readers to believe Lea Salas, Director of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) for Sierra County, had declined to apply for a $1 million grant to aid people without housing because, in our words, "The county certainly did not need to provide incentives for homeless people to move here," we conducted a lengthy and very informative interview with Salas. Here is what we learned: the plight of homeless people in Sierra County has been recognized, but assisting those individuals is a complex process filled with obstacles.

As for not applying for the $1 million in Behavioral Bridge Funding, Salas told us this had zero to do with Sierra County not having a heart for those without a roof over their head. Instead, BHS lacked the staffing required to pursue the grant or to meet the obligations attached to utilizing the funds. However, Salas stated when the funding cycle for the program starts again later this year, the County will be able to submit an application developed by a Housing Coordinator supported by funds from the Care (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court, Gov. Newsom's new program for assisting those needing housing while they deal with severe mental issues.

Meanwhile, Salas explained there are several funds, some more complex than others, the County can utilize to address the needs of our homeless population. For example, BHS is currently partnering with Plumas County on plans to construct a 32-unit residential building for people needing housing with funding from the Rural Communities Housing Development Group. Three of these units are reserved for Sierra County residents who will be provided resources (transportation, medications, and counseling) needed for recovery by Sierra County. Currently, the partners are in active negotiations to acquire a parcel in East Quincy. While hoops still need to be jumped through, including making sure the local community finds merit and favors the project, groundbreaking for the building project could occur as early as September.

As for locating a residential within Sierra County, securing property for homeless residents in Sierra County seems to be the biggest obstacle. This is precisely what transpired with the No Place Like Home Program. According to Salas, a $500K grant was lost because "we couldn't secure property within the deadline."

Currently, Salsa said, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides housing vouchers to low-income families needing housing. But, finding homeowners willing to enter into a housing rental agreement with tenants using vouchers has been difficult. This has also been true with HUD's vouchers for use in buying a residence.

According to HUD, the resistance by homeowners and landlords to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program includes the myths that a landlord cannot charge full rent, that these tenants are impossible to evict if they violate the lease, acceptance of one HCV tenant obligates the landlord to rent all their properties to HCV tenants.

In reality, landlords receive timely, dependable, and full payments from the public housing authority (PHA). In addition, they may request annual and reasonable rent increases, and the PHA will also perform regular inspections of their properties.

Many cogs turn the wheel, and one piece is hiring a Housing Coordinator. Someone who will go out there and talk to current land owners, Air B&B owners, and even resorts to negotiate housing for those in need. The county governance committee must approve the hiring of a Housing Coordinator position. Funding for the Housing Coordinator position is available through the Managed Care Plan, Anthem, and California Health and Wellness.

Another question posed by a reader was where did the Sierra County homeless population count of 12 originate? Salas explained how, every January, the Federal government stipulates all counties must provide a report to HUD on the number of unsheltered folks within their jurisdiction. In Sierra County, according to Salas, case managers go out to each of our county's communities and conduct a diligent survey for "unsheltered" individuals. In January of 2023, they located 12 such folks.

Meanwhile, Ms. Salas, having started her career with Sierra County as an Account Tech III in 2003 and becoming Director of BHS in 2017, is retiring on May 11. While there are many applicants for her position, she hopes her replacement "will have a heart that wants to help, assist and grow, and bring about recovery." As for her retirement, Salas is looking forward to spending as much time as possible with her eleven grandchildren while she still has a chance.