RSM City May Invest More In Homeless Outreach Services

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Rancho Santa Margarita officials may opt to invest more in homeless outreach services provided by Mercy House in order to combat homelessness across South Orange County.

The matter will be discussed at Wednesday's City Council meeting, where council members will talk about increasing Mercy House's services to 20 contracted hours per week instead of the current eight hours.

Council members will also choose whether or not to increase the city's contract with Mercy House from $12,936 to $32,142, according to a staff report.

The increased payment would be covered by state-allocated Local Housing Allocation Grant funds, the city said.

According to the city staff report, increasing the amount Mercy House's of contracted hours will allow for outreach services to be provided consistently and in a timely manner.

"With only eight hours contracted per week of outreach work in the city, Mercy House workers are not often available on the same day that resources are requested," a city staff report said. "By increasing the contracted number of hours to 20 hours per week, the city would receive more consistent and sustained visibility in Rancho Santa Margarita, and the ability to respond when needed."

The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Rancho Santa Margarita City Hall, 22112 El Paseo.