Oct 15, 2026 - HHS Committee Worksession

The Health and Human Services Committee worksession of the Montgomery County Council (MoCoCouncilMD), dated October 15, 2026 (the meeting metadata is timestamped October 16), focused on homelessness, shelter capacity, housing placements, and federal funding uncertainty. DHS reported that the 2026 point-in-time count found 1,120 people experiencing homelessness, while noting that severe winter weather may have affected the unsheltered count. The department described continued progress housing families through the locally funded SHARP program, which housed 227 families in FY26 and was due to begin accepting referrals for individuals on October 19, with funding to serve an estimated 100–120 people. Projected motel expenditures for the current fiscal year are $2.77 million. Staff also said two DHS supplemental appropriations—one for seven-day shelter custodial services and one to add beds for unsheltered women—were expected to be introduced October 20, with a public hearing scheduled for November 10; no spending vote or contract award occurred at this worksession.

The committee discussed the federal HUD Continuum of Care grant competition and its uncertain outcome amid litigation. County staff submitted an application after a shortened 12-day window; approximately $5 million in Tier 2 renewals is at risk, potentially affecting programs serving 822 clients. The county has set aside contingency funding for certain grants expiring this year, but not for projects whose first performance periods are in FY28. Members urged staff to develop and communicate a contingency strategy before the end of the year. The committee also discussed a proposed HOC preference for people experiencing homelessness in housing-voucher allocations, and the need for follow-up data on SHARP participants’ longer-term housing stability. These were discussions and recommendations, not formal votes.